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Post by pieter on Jul 20, 2020 12:50:15 GMT -7
EU Debates | eudebates.tv
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Sunday that Dutch leader Mark Rutte was responsible for the deadlock at a European Union summit, where leaders were set to haggle for a third day over a vast stimulus plan for their coronavirus-hit economies.
"I don't know what is the personal reason for the Dutch prime minister to hate me or Hungary, but he is attacking so harshly," he told reporters in front of the steps of a European history museum in a Brussels park, a short walk from the summit venue.
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Post by pieter on Jul 20, 2020 12:50:22 GMT -7
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Post by pieter on Jul 20, 2020 12:54:53 GMT -7
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Post by pieter on Jul 20, 2020 12:57:20 GMT -7
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Post by pieter on Jul 20, 2020 13:04:01 GMT -7
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Post by pieter on Jul 20, 2020 13:16:28 GMT -7
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Post by pieter on Jul 20, 2020 13:38:55 GMT -7
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Post by pieter on Jul 20, 2020 13:51:51 GMT -7
European leaders are meeting for a third consecutive day, trying to find an agreement for a budget recovery plan.
Despite two days of talks, there are still deep differences among EU members over the allocation of funds and the governance of the recovery fund and its structure, namely the proportion between grants and loans.
Speaking a short time ago in his doorstep statement, Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Xavier Bettel paid tribute to European Council President Charles Michel who “I must say… does not have an easy task.”
“I’ve rarely seen over seven years such diametrically opposing positions … on many points,” Bettel said. ”It is a moment of solidarity for all of us because if some countries collapse [as a result of the crisis], I believe it can also have repercussions on others.”
Bettel said it was possible for some to have “a right to examine” aspects of governance, but those are decisions “we take together.”
On rule of law, Bettel said it was “sad” to have to remind people that “in 2020 the EU is also about rights and values, and that those are very important.” He concluded by making a plea for rule of law provisions, which he called “the backbone” of the EU.
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Post by pieter on Jul 20, 2020 14:19:54 GMT -7
Before the Summit
Back to the Summit in Brusels
You see the Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen walking in the hall
Denmark is together with the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Finland part of the strict group.
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Post by pieter on Jul 20, 2020 14:23:32 GMT -7
Mark Rutte meets the Duch press
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Post by pieter on Jul 21, 2020 5:41:05 GMT -7
 Rutte was' sinister Dr. No 'in Europe, but' relationships remain good ' After days (and nights) of negotiations, the bullet has hit the church: there is an agreement on the corona repair fund and the multi-annual budget of the European Union. The 27 EU government leaders who have signed the deal are still satisfied and celebrate the agreement as a great success.
For example, the leaders of France (Macron), Spain (Sánchez) and Italy (Conte) speak of a "historical" agreement. The deal shows that even in a major crisis, the EU "is able to act jointly," said German Chancellor Merkel. Prime Minister Rutte is also happy. According to him, there is an "extensive and good package in which the Dutch interests are properly safeguarded".
The positive reactions from the heads of government also convey a sense of relief. The road to the chord was rather bumpy to say the least. Rutte in particular received a lot of criticism in advance. As captain of the 'economical countries' group, he is said to be too harsh in the negotiations.
The Italian newspaper La Repubblica evaluates Rute's efforts at this weekend's EU summit with the report number 5. According to the daily, the prime minister has achieved some economic results, but has also aroused the annoyance of many colleagues and has put the Netherlands on the list of "bad Europeans".
A columnist from The Telegraph suggested yesterday that the Netherlands has taken the place of the United Kingdom as 'nuisance number 1'. "When we left, a vacancy arose for that."
The style of 53-year-old Rutte is also admired. According to the French newspaper Le Figaro, he has mastered the art of negotiation completely. That makes him a "formidable discussion partner", according to the daily. "Every time we think we can agree on something, he tries to get more done on a different subject," the newspaper quotes a diplomat.
"Handsome bachelor" on the bike
Abroad, Prime Minister Rutte has long been known as 'Mister No, No, No', the miserly man who only wants to help badly affected countries if they adhere to strict conditions. His alleged austerity kept recurring in profiles that international newspapers published about him recently. "Handsome bachelor" Rutte lives in "a small apartment" (El Mundo), has "an old Saab" (Mitteldeutsche Zeitung) and prefers to go to work "by bike" (La Stampa).
Countries such as Spain and Italy, both severely affected by the corona crisis, are resisting this frugality to the full in this negotiating weekend. According to Italian Prime Minister Conte, Rutte blocked "an adequate and effective response to the corona crisis". Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán was also stirred. He wondered aloud why Prime Minister Rutte hated him.
The Spaniards also did not like Rutte much, although that negative Spanish attitude to the Netherlands is as old as the corona crisis itself, says correspondent Rop Zoutberg. "After the Minister of Finance Hoekstra noticed in the spring that rules had to be introduced for loans to the southern EU member states, the bear was loose."
Perhaps that sharp black-and-white image of Prime Minister Sánchez actually came in handy in his negotiations, says Zoutberg. "Although you have seen behind the scenes in recent weeks that more Spanish politicians saw that it is reasonable to set conditions for money that you lend to someone else."
And this morning, when the deal was closed, the image of 'the thrifty opponent' was apparently no longer needed, the correspondent noticed. "To my surprise, Sánchez suddenly underlined the great relationship he has with Rutte."
Rutte herself also emphasized the good mutual relationships this morning. He cherishes "very warm tires with Merkel, also with Macron, with Conte," he said.
With that fist on the table, Rutte may have been referring to French President Macron. He would have been so annoyed at the dinner table on Sunday evening with the attitude of Rutte and the other 'economical countries' that he lost his temper.
According to German newspapers, he shouted to them: "You can make me crazy with my subsidies, okay, but Angela (Merkel, ed.) Is on my side." And Chancellor Merkel? He could laugh at the outburst of anger, according to the newspapers.
Source: nos.nl/artikel/2341394-rutte-was-sinistere-dr-no-in-europa-maar-verhoudingen-blijven-goed.html |
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Post by karl on Jul 21, 2020 15:56:31 GMT -7
Pieter
It is interesting that the most irresponsible Southern states are angry at Mr. Rutte {PM} for his insistence upon financial responsibility that by his responsibility to insist upon of conditions to be met. For then to belittle him for living in a small apartment {flat}, owning an old Saab and cycles to work is a bit small in character upon their part. For now those states must adhere to show financial responsibility that in past and present has been absent in their past performance. Now they must demonstrate as such in order to receive EU assistance.
From the present Italian/Spain to the past Greece, this has been an ongoing self conditioned problem. It would appear that lessons to be learnt are not pleasant, but it appears Mr. Rutte has accomplished this task.
Karl
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Post by JustJohn or JJ on Jul 22, 2020 7:44:59 GMT -7
Afd can end Merkel's political run and save Europe from China
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Post by karl on Jul 22, 2020 20:18:47 GMT -7
J.J. Interesting reporting from an Indian {East Indian} source, they generally are neutral and unbiased in their research and reporting. Although in this case, with the reporting of The AfD being a cause for Chancellor Merkle to be leaving office is the hump riding on a camel. She is due to leave at the end of this year by her own word. In the manner of The party AfD, they and Chancellor Merkle are both products of the past DDR and understand one and another very well. www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46020745Alternative für Deutschland {AfD} www.dw.com/en/afd-what-you-need-to-know-about-germanys-far-right-party/a-37208199Karl |
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Post by Jaga on Jul 22, 2020 21:50:52 GMT -7
Karl, yes you are right Chancellor Merkel is getting out of politics. I am not sure what is this all anti-Chinese bias. In the past the worst enemy was Russia, now suddenly it is China. In a way I am not surprised that India talks against China since India and China do not like each other, compete with each other forever.
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