Very interesting link. Some comments by the Dutch PM.
He doesn't like central control from Brussels.
Europe must be built upon the foundation of its nation-states, and not imposed upon us by Brussels.
And
The Commission should serve the EU members, not the other way around. I know that I won't get any applause in Brussels for this statement.
On the suggestion that Holland and Germany pay more into the EU budget to make up for the lost UK contribution.
No, we don't intend to do that... I would be surprised if Germany ended up paying much more.
He wants to expand the euro's bailout fund but recognises this will require treaty change.
In order to transform the ESM into an EU institution, it would be necessary to amend the European treaties, and I don't see any willingness to do this on anyone's part.
Doesn't like the way the EU uses structural funds
We want to use this money to support the reforms that the Commission regularly proposes in its country-specific recommendations. Instead of spending money on useless highways, this allows us to target growth.
Doesn't like the EU Commission picking on small countries while ignoring the bigger fish.
The moment the Commission gives the impression that it strictly ensures that small countries respect the stability pact but does not apply the same oversight to Italy and France, it undermines the rules that we have agreed upon together. Italy has sovereign debt of over 130 percent of GDP while France has a debt of roughly 100 percent. That is where Mr. Juncker should be placing his focus.
And realises the banks in Europe are heavily indepted.
As long as the countries concerned fail to reduce the risks on their own banks' balance sheets, nothing will happen. The Maastricht Treaty imposes public debt ceilings on the member countries, and not on Europe.
Doesn't appear to be too happy with the EU Commission.
And at the risk of saying "I told you so", he's saying much of the same things that I've been saying. Although Wordsmith has zero influence on the EU Commission, the Dutch Prime Minister has genuine clout.
Wordsmith