European cities, international relations and some popular connotations

Some cities have clear connotations: The Hague is regarded as the global capital of justice the Hague is regarded as the global capital of justice (sometimes of justice and peace), Brussels as the centre of the European Union (EU), transatlantic relations (NATO) and European diplomacy, and Geneva is closely associated with human rights (Human Rights Council), International Labor Organization (ILO) and humanitarian protection (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent). The aim of this paper is to examine the correlation between the cities’ image/connotations and their position in international relations. Do such connotations increase cities’ influence? Has this image been planned and shaped by cities themselves or was it rather a coincidence? Or have other actors – i.e. foreign States cooperating with the host State (the latter means the nation-State of the city) – contributed to it? This research objective will be achieved through an analysis of municipal legislation and strategies exploiting these connotations and associations, and content analysis of the most representative literature. The authors will also take into account the relevant cities’ participation in cities’ networks (including the profiles of such networks) and the placement of headquarters of international organizations (governmental and non-governmental) in the cities in question.