Council: Dutch MEPs share their hopes and fears for incoming presidency - Hoofdinhoud
The Netherlands will be at the helm of the Council of the EU for the first six months of this year. The country will focus on promoting economic growth and connecting with civil society. The priorities will be migration and international security; innovation and job creation; sound finances and a robust euro zone; a forward-looking climate and energy policy. Dutch MEPs from across the political spectrum provide their expectations.
Hans van Baalen (ALDE): “The Dutch presidency will focus on strengthening the internal market and international trade. TTIP is vital. Economic growth is the only solution to many problems in the EU.
In addition the Dutch presidency will have to work on the refugee crisis, the challenges facing the Schengen zone, EU-Russia relations and the aftermath of the MH17-catastrophe, a possible Brexit and the fight against IS/Daesh inside and outside Syria. The effective control of European borders is essential for the EU’s internal and external security in order to combat illegal migration and manage refugee crisis.”