Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Image
Bert Koenders
Bert Koenders - Credit: EU2016 NL / Wikimedia Commons
Politics
Bert Koenders
ministry of foreign affairs
European Union
European Parliament
EU
United States
Donald Trump
Friday, 27 January 2017 - 10:09
Share this:
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • reddit

Dutch Foreign Min.: Time for a "different" Europe

Minister Bert Koenders of Foreign Affairs thinks its time for Europe to change, now that "America First is the motto" of the new U.S. president Donald Trump, he said in newspaper AD. "Not more Europe, not less. We need a different Europe."

According to Koenders, the EU long worked as a legislative machine. While the Americans ensured our safety, Europe was able to extend its internal markets. And for that rules from Brussels were necessary. But now that Donald Trump is in charge, support from the United States on security is no longer a guarantee. And it is therefore time for a change, Koenders said.

Koenders finds it promising that European Parliamentarians are complaining that there are too few laws. "If the European Parliament really thinks it has too little to do, it can be half the size. At least in one place - the monthly traveling circus is a travesty."

As far as Koenders is concerned, European Parliamentarians should spend more time among the people. "As long as they spend half their time in meeting rooms, the European Parliament will in my opinion have less influence on important negotiations, such as over the Brexit or how the EU is paid. We need representatives who know what is going on among the people."

The Dutch Minister believes the Member States should be placed bac in the spotlight. Give the Member States initiative on dealing with acute problems, such a how to approach the financial crisis or setting sanctions against Russia, the Minister said. Governments should themselves be responsible for the facilities and services their residents find important, such as healthcare, education, a decent pension and a proper safety net for people who are struggling. But at the same time it must be ensured that equal work gets equal pay across Europe, so that "our truck drivers, plumbers and plasterers" have a fair chance.

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • Council of State advises against criminalizing gay conversion therapy
  • Cabinet may use Lelystad Airport, empty churches to shelter asylum seekers & refugees
  • More hospitals, cybersecurity firm also targeted in pro-Russia cyberattack
  • Parliamentary inquiry on Groningen gas earthquakes didn't restore locals trust in gov't
  • Amsterdam to Barcelona night train wins support from European Commission
  • Four men convicted in 1985 gas station cashier murder may have made false confessions

Top stories

  • Cabinet may use Lelystad Airport, empty churches to shelter asylum seekers & refugees
  • Netherlands named 8th least corrupt nation in annual review, but issues remain
  • Dutch human rights institute critical of “disproportionate” arrest of climate protesters
  • Regions outside Randstad against limiting international students
  • Rutte, Macron and Biden not yet ready to give Ukraine F-16 jets
  • Housing construction at highest level in decade; Still 26% below gov't target

© 2012-2023, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Partner content