Even before the ball has rolled for the first time at UEFA EURO 2024, the first kick-off has already taken place: the opening event of the International Police Cooperation Center (IPCC) 2024. Around 1,000 national and international guests took part, including numerous police colleagues from more than 24 nations.
Nancy Faeser, Federal Minister of the Interior and for Home Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, and Herbert Reul, Minister of the Interior of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, were also present at the Neuss City Hall - and with them even soccer world champion Philipp Lahm.
Nancy Faeser strives for a safe and peaceful soccer festival
Day by day, the IPCC 2024 filled up more and more: in addition to colleagues from all over Germany, delegations from the participating countries also traveled to Neuss last week. The opening ceremony took place on Monday, June 10.
Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser not only wants to be a "great host" for the 12 million fans from all over Europe. She wants to make UEFA EURO 2024 - especially in these challenging times - "a peaceful and safe celebration of togetherness". However, this can only be achieved if everyone involved is safe. She expressed her gratitude to all employees of all security authorities for their commitment and dedication.
NRW Minister of the Interior Reul expresses his thanks
And Herbert Reul also focused primarily on the security aspect. He is looking at the security of UEFA EURO 2024 "not with concern, but with caution". First and foremost, such a major event means a lot of additional work for the police in addition to their day-to-day business. However, Interior Minister Herbert Reul is certain that the police are well prepared for the tournament!
"I know that this vacation ban is a huge sacrifice for many. Especially for the mothers and fathers who actually wanted to go on vacation with their families in June. Thank you for accepting this and going the extra mile with us," said Herbert Reul.
IPCC 2024 significantly more complex than 2006
IPCC 2024 Director Oliver Strudthoff also took the guests on a journey through the development process of the IPCC 2024: "It should become clear very quickly that although the plans for the IPCC 2024 have the same basic objectives as in 2006, they are larger in scale and complexity."
"There has never been an institution like the IPCC 2024 in this form in Germany and there won't be one again so soon - that is something special, if not unique - and you are a part of it, a part of your IPCC 2024," Strudthoff continued.
Site authorities look forward to mobile IPCC 2024 forces
Adrian Dinca, Chairman of the National Football Information Point (NFIP), and Stephen Furnham, Safety & Security Advisor of the UEFA Executive Office, also emphasized the importance of IPCC 2024 in the context of UEFA EURO 2024 and in the exchange with their institutions.
Inspired by the NRW State Police Orchestra, which embellished the event under the direction of Thomas Boger with musical evergreens such as "Skyfall", former national team player Philipp Lahm also took the floor. As tournament director of UEFA EURO 2024, he thanked all the security staff who are giving their all away from the soccer pitch - whether at the venues, in the authorities or at the IPCC 2024.
At the end, the colleagues were welcomed via video message by the police chiefs of the individual match venues, who are already looking forward to the mobile delegations of the IPCC 2024 - and to a good and safe UEFA EURO 2024.
