About: Mark Rutte
Italy’s prime minister insists no room to change ‘beautiful’ budget
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has attempted to open a dialogue with the European Commission in an attempt to calm things down over Italy’s “unprecedented” breach of fiscal rules, but has also warned that there will be no step back on the draft budgetary plans.
EU says still time for Brexit deal as failure looms
British and European leaders insisted Monday (15 October) they could still reach a Brexit deal despite the latest failed round of divorce talks, but the EU warned a no-deal scenario was "more likely than ever before".
France, Benelux to propose EU aid for Africa in return for migrant help
France and the three Benelux countries on Thursday (6 September) launched a plan to offer EU funds to African countries in return for help stemming the flow of migrants to Europe.
Geert Wilders wins, Muslims lose in latest Prophet Mohammed cartoon furore
Geert Wilders is back in the headlines, thanks to a controversial Prophet Mohammed cartoon competition, which has caused a furore in Pakistan. But the race for Europe's toughest anti-Muslim politician has several other contestants, writes Shada Islam.
Netherlands to veto the opening of accession negotiations with Albania
The Dutch parliament blocked on Thursday (21 June) the opening of EU accession negotiations with Albania. The EU summit will decide on 28-29 June whether to open negotiations with Macedonia and Albania.
Macron wins Merkel’s backing on budget for eurozone
French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday (19 June) won German Chancellor Angela Merkel's backing for reforms that are aimed at bolstering the eurozone against crises, including a vaunted budget for the bloc.
Rutte rejects Commission’s new funds for monetary union
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Wednesday (13 June) the EU should use the tools that are already available to support reforms and protect the euro, in his latest criticism of proposals to deepen the bloc's integration.
Pressure builds on Russia under MH17 investigation
Dutch prosecutors identified a Russian military unit on Thursday (24 May) as the source of the missile that shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014, killing all 298 people on board.
Erdogan: Austria will ‘pay a price’ for banning Turkish campaigning
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Saturday (21 April) criticised Austria for planning to ban any possible campaigning for the June elections, saying that countries attempting to undermine his country's democratic struggle would "pay a price".
Rutte pours cold water on Bulgaria’s Schengen and Eurozone dreams
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte poured cold water on Bulgaria’s ambition to unlock its stalled bid to join the EU border-free Schengen area on Tuesday (6 February) and said the country also needed more work to meet the criteria for joining the Eurozone.
Inspired by Europe’s comeback, EU leaders promise to ‘deliver’
The World Economic Forum missed European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Thursday (24 January), but presidents, prime ministers, and ministers from all EU countries were there to send the message that Europe is back.
Macron convinces Merkel to hold key debate on future of euro in March
Amid the political paralysis in Germany, EU leaders decided on Friday (15 December) to postpone for March a “strategic political discussion” on the future of the eurozone and adopt a 'reform roadmap' in June.
Going Dutch: Why Germany needs others besides France
The Franco-German engine gets all the media attention, but it is Dutch-German cooperation that has done the important work in recent years. France and Germany can do a lot together, but Germany and France should remember that Berlin has - and needs - other options, writes Christel Arlette Zunneberg.
Dutch senators approve compromise on EU-Ukraine pact
Dutch senators backed a hard-won compromise yesterday (30 May) to ratify an amended EU-Ukraine deal, clearing one of the final hurdles for approval of the deal to help nudge Kyiv closer to the West.
Barcelona pulls out the stops for EU medicines agency
Barcelona's mayor and Spain's health minister have agreed to work together to bring the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to the Catalan capital. EURACTIV Spain reports.
Amsterdam backs a ‘transparent and objective’ relocation of EU drugs agency
The Netherlands announced on Thursday (20 April) Amsterdam's candidacy for hosting the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which is currently based in London.
Who provokes, who rules, who benefits?
Turkey, or let us say the Turkish president and the government, continues losing prestige in the West with his aggressive and provocative approach. Zakir Gul asks, is Erdoğan paving the way for a one-man-rule presidency with the upcoming constitutional referendum in Turkey?
Dutch vote throws Eurogroup leadership into doubt
Jeroen Dijsselbloem could well lose his role as chair of the EU body coordinating eurozone policy after his party was routed in the Dutch election. But there is a chance he could retain his position even if he is no longer finance minister in a new coalition.
Dutch election offers huge relief for other EU governments
Exit polls showing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte (VVD) far ahead of Geert Wilders and his Freedom Party (PVV) were greeted with relief in Brussels yesterday night (15 March), amid fears of a surge in populism in Europe, with elections in France and Germany still to come in 2017.
Dutch vote in key elections as far-right slips
Millions of Dutch voters go to the polls Wednesday (14 March) in key elections overshadowed by a blazing diplomatic row with Turkey, with all eyes on the fate of far-right MP Geert Wilders.
Dutch leaders clash in tense elections debate
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte clashed with his main rival anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders on Monday (13 March), as they laid out starkly opposing visions of their country's future in an election campaign now consumed by a diplomatic row with Turkey.
Erdogan pledges to punish ‘Nazi remnant’ Netherlands ‘in harshest way’
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called the Netherlands a 'Nazi remnant' and said the country should face sanctions for barring Turkish ministers from speaking in Rotterdam, fuelling a row over Ankara's political campaigning abroad.
Dutch gear up for crunch election as far-right eyes victory
Dutch voters go to the polls next week in pivotal elections with the Liberal party, at the helm of the ruling coalition, seeking to fend off a strong challenge from the far-right.