The EU cannot build a modern economy using a financial blueprint from the 1990s, Prime Minister Rob Jetten has warned. Ahead of Friday’s EU summit, Jetten insisted that the bloc’s next seven-year budget must focus sharply on security and competitiveness rather than outdated priorities.
Negotiations are currently deadlocked, with member states deeply divided over the scale and scope of the funding. The Netherlands has firmly rejected the current €1.9 trillion proposal as far too expensive. Jetten particularly criticised a draft by the Cypriot EU presidency for slashing funds for security and innovation, warning it would pass an unacceptable, heavy bill down to Dutch taxpayers.
While the Dutch have allies in their push for austerity, they face fierce resistance from nations demanding a larger budget to protect farming subsidies. Leaders are attempting to break the impasse today, though breakthrough looks unlikely as capitals refuse to budge—a standoff Jetten shrugged off as standard practice for major European financial talks.
With unanimous backing required to pass the budget, Jetten made it clear he will not rush into a bad deal. Insisting on “substance over speed,” he argued that Europe’s security and economic ambitions must be properly reflected in its finances. A fresh attempt to resolve the dispute is expected in October under the incoming Irish EU presidency.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
