On Tuesday, 8 March  2022 from 1pm to 2:15pm, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Sigrid Kaag will share her vision on the recently appointed Dutch cabinet’s EU course. The Netherlands wants to play a leading role in a strong and decisive European Union; in her speech, Minister Kaag will address what the main priorities are in the fields of finance and climate and share the Dutch vision on the EU as a community of values. 

European unification was founded on the principles of community and solidarity.  A common interpretation of these principles might be lacking in Europe, but  they can provide guidance on how to organise European cooperation in times of crises, such as during geopolitical tensions, pandemics and the climate crisis. 

After the speech, Minister Kaag will join in conversation with Mathieu Segers, professor in European contemporary history and European integration at Maastricht University and Europa Chair at Studio Europa Maastricht, and will engage in an interactive debate with the audience.

Minister Kaag will speak in the Sint Janskerk located on the Vrijthof, Maastricht's central square. Maastricht is inextricably linked with Europe and European integration. The Maastricht Treaty, signed 30 years ago this year, is the founding treaty of the EU and sealed Europeans’ commitment to developing a collective identity.