Prime minister Mark Rutte has told the Wall Street Journal he continues to back the European Central Bank’s reluctance to step up purchases of Italian and Spanish government bonds, despite the turmoil in European financial markets.

‘I know some in the US are saying: Have the ECB solve the crisis,’ Rutte told the paper, ahead of a meeting with president Barack Obama on Tuesday afternoon.
‘Well, that would mean two things: You would have a lot more money in the system with the risk of inflation and….it would take off the pressure on Greece and Italy and others to reform.’
Rutte’s meeting with Obama lasted some 50 minutes, which is longer than had been expected, according to Dutch media reports.
Middle East
During the meeting, the two men discussed the European debt crisis and the problems in the Middle East.
According to the NRC, Obama praised the Netherlands as an important partner, particularly with regard to Nato operations. He also said he would like to visit the Netherlands at some point.
According to the Nos correspondent in the US, the meeting was relaxed and Obama was quick to call the Dutch prime minister Mark.