About: Netherlands
Dutch ‘preachers and salesmen’ lead EU frugality drive
The Netherlands will be at the centre of upcoming talks over European spending on the coronavirus crisis, driven by a mix of traditional Calvinist frugality and political reality, experts say.
Dutch pin hopes on ‘hydrogen valley’ to revive declining gas region
Near-silent buses shift around in a residential neighbourhood in the province of Groningen, home to one of the greenest industrial areas in the world. We’re in 2026 and the Netherlands gives the world a preview of what a “hydrogen economy” could look like.
Macron says EU virus package ‘advancing’, in talks with Dutch PM
French President Emmanuel Macron said talks on a EU coronavirus recovery fund were "advancing" Tuesday (23 June) as he met Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, a key holdout against the plan.
From hydrogen islands to hydrogen valleys
Small communities are becoming energy self-sufficient with clean-burning hydrogen gas generated from wind power. The question now for Europe is whether it can be replicated on a larger scale.
Taming the ‘Frugal Four’: the challenge facing the German Presidency
The European Commission has presented its proposal for a recovery fund as part of the draft EU budget. Now the member states must be convinced, a task that will fall on Berlin when Germany takes over the EU Council Presidency in July, EURACTIV Germany reports.
‘Not appropriate’: Uniper seeks compensation for Dutch coal phase-out
Uniper is threatening to sue the Dutch government over a plan to phase out coal power by 2030, in a case experts warn could have a chilling effect on climate ambition internationally. EURACTIV's media partner, Climate Home News, reports.
EU agri chief warns against risks of state aid overuse in farming sector
Excessive use of state aid to bail out struggling farmers during the COVID-19 crisis could be a cause for concern for the single market and fair competition in the member states, according to the European Commissioner for agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski.
Dutch spell out green ideas for EU recovery fund
The Netherlands has floated proposals to ensure a green recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, suggesting an “exclusion list” of economic activities like nuclear power, which the Dutch believe should be banned from receiving EU funds.
Conte doubles down on demand for coronabonds
The "full firepower" of the European Union will be needed to overcome the historic shock of the coronavirus crisis, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte told German media Sunday (19 April), repeating calls to pool European debt.
Portugal’s Costa criticises Netherlands over commitment to EU
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa said on Friday (10 April) that the Netherlands' attempt to block economic support to fight the coronavirus raised questions about the future of the European Union.
Germans and Dutch set to block EU ‘corona bonds’ at video summit
Germany and the Netherlands will lead opposition to issuing joint bonds to help revive the European Union economy from a deep slump caused by the coronavirus when the bloc's national leaders discuss emergency assistance on Thursday (26 March).
Balkan hopefuls get green light to start EU talks, conditions still weigh on Tirana
EU ministers on Tuesday (24 March) approved starting membership talks with North Macedonia and Albania, a move hailed as restoring "credibility" after months of damaging delays and bickering.
Trial of men accused in downing of MH17 to begin in Amsterdam
The first hearing in the trial of four fugitive suspects in the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 was set to start in Amsterdam on Monday (9 March), more than five years after the plane was downed in Ukraine.
French, Dutch smash huge migrant smuggling ring to UK
French and Dutch police arrested 23 people on suspicion of smuggling 10,000 Kurdish migrants to Britain in refrigerated lorries and rubber boats, Europe's judicial agency said Wednesday (22 January).
Dutch farmers block highways with tractors, angry at EU rules on pollution
Dutch farmers and construction workers blocked roads with tractors on Wednesday (18 December) and gathered outside the offices of national broadcaster NOS in the latest of a series of protests over environmental pollution rules.
Top Putin aide named by MH17 airliner investigators
An international investigation into the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 on Thursday (14 November) released a series of phone intercepts, including one between a top aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin and pro-Russian rebels accused in the crash.
Dutch PM Rutte: Europe needs to increase military spending
Europe needs to increase military spending to keep the transatlantic NATO alliance alive in the face of rising threats from Russia, China and elsewhere, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Thursday (3 October).
Ukraine’s Zelenskiy blamed for the release of key MH17 suspect
A Ukrainian court on Thursday (5 September) released on bail a man suspected of involvement in the downing of a Malaysia Airlines flight over eastern Ukraine in 2014 that killed 298 people.
North Macedonia nears accession talks, Albania falling behind
Member states will on Tuesday (18 June) postpone a decision on opening accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania, most likely until September, as almost all capitals are prepared to green light Skopje while Tirana still remains a ‘no-go’ for a few, EU officials and diplomats told EURACTIV.
Commission: Suspending visa-free travel for Albanians should not be decided lightly
The European Commission said on Monday (3 June) it would assess a request by the Netherlands to suspend visa-free travel for Albanians, adding that such a decision should not be taken lightly.
Flamboyant populist leads the charge as Dutch go to vote
A flamboyant Dutch populist will lead the charge on Thursday (23 May) for eurosceptic and anti-immigration parties across the continent in European Parliament elections.
Dutch minister resigns over manipulated report of crimes committed by asylum-seekers
The Netherlands' minister for migration, Mark Harbers, resigned Tuesday (21 May) after a parliamentary outcry over elided data on crimes committed by asylum-seekers, in a bad blow to the government just ahead of European elections.
EU backs cyber sanctions regime, following Dutch and UK pressure
Under new EU rules, individuals and groups conducting cyber-attacks from outside the bloc may be hit with potential sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes. But the measures announced on Friday will be applied only to "persons and entities" and not to national governments.