Dutch city aims to rediscover European spirit

Maastricht recalls euphoria of 1992 treaty with optimistic program for reconstruction

Maastricht, a picturesque Dutch city of cobblestone streets and medieval arches, on Tuesday marks the 25th anniversary of the European treaty bearing its name, showing rare optimism and hope amid rising euroscepticism.

Sandwiched just a few kilometers between Liege in Belgium and Aachen in Germany, this southern provincial capital bore witness more than two decades ago to the birth of an audacious plan to integrate Europe's countries into one union.