Finance minister brushes off criticism of Dutch role in EU budget talks

Tuesday 16 November 2010

Finance minister Jan Kees de Jager on Tuesday brushed off criticism of the Dutch position during Monday night's debate on the EU's 2011 spending plans, which ended in stalemate.

'We have been a generous partner but there are limits,' De Jager told RTL Z. 'It was very important for the Netherlands that the EU budget did not keep on going up. If we have to tighten our belts here, then they have to do it in Europe as well.'

The European Commission and parliament want a 6.2% increase, partly to fund an expansion of the EU role under the Lisbon treaty.

In October, the Netherlands was one of 11 member states to support capping the EU budget increase at 2.9%, or €126.5bn.

Influence

Earlier, commission president Jose Manuel Barroso said he was extremely disappointed at the failure to reach a deal. 'A small number of member states were not prepared to negotiate in a European spirit,' Barroso said.

The European parliament had been willing to accept the lower figure if member states agreed to give them more say over the EU's spending plans in the future.

But the Netherlands and Britain oppose boosting the parliament's role in determining the EU's budget.

D66 MEP Gerben Jan Gerbrandy told Nos tv the Netherlands' position is 'incomprehensible'.

'The current way the EU budget is drawn up is not at all transparent,' he said.

PVV

Labour MEP Thijs Berman said he also opposes the Dutch position. 'The influence of the [anti-EU] PVV can be clearly felt,' he was quoted as saying.

If the impasse continues, the 2011 budget will remain at 2010's level. London and The Hague want more austerity because most EU countries have to cut spending because of the economic crisis.

For the BBC report on this, click here

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