EU members "unreliable," Dutch priorities too selfish: Dutch official

The European Union is an association made up of unreliable members that are too materialistic and driven by money. And the Netherlands is just as bad as its neighbors when it comes to abusing EU funds. "The greatest fraud in the European Social Fund is held by the Netherlands. But it is in the Dutch national character to point the finger at other countries." This is according to Alex Bernninkmeijer from the European Court of Auditors in an interview with the Volkskrant on Tuesday. According to Bernninkeijer Europe is supposed to stand for ideals, not for getting more money than giving. "For the Netherlands the citizen is willing to accept ideals as part of our national identity. Not for Europe. Then money remains and that leads to perverse processes such as what's in it for me. Better misspent here with me than well spent with the neighbors." "Europe is in a very weak position. In a political and geopolitical sense the EU is a giant with feet of clay. We are so vulnerable." Brenninkmeijer said to the newspaper. "It is only now starting to penetrate that Russia can stand on our doorstep. And what will Europe do then? What is Europe then. Are we a defense community, do we form an EU army?"