Brussels, 25/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - The Dutch government is seeking to use the future mandate of the European Commission to reshuffle the cards in relations between the EU and member states, to the benefit of the national level. Nonetheless, it is not calling for changes to the treaties or special opt outs.
In a note accompanying an analysis report of European action with regard to the subsidiarity principle that it produced and sent to the national parliament, the Dutch government says that it is “convinced that the time for 'ever closer' union in all possible areas of action is behind us. As the results of the 2005 referendum on the Constitutional Treaty demonstrated, the Dutch people was and is still dissatisfied with a Union whose field of activity is constantly increasing as if this were an objective in itself”. The Dutch government adds that “European integration is a process by way of different stages, through which the decision to take action at European level is only taken if it is necessary and/or if this is done in the interest of participating countries”.
The report (Twitter @AgencEurope) identifies 54 areas or regulations, such as criminal law, direct taxation and social security systems, where the EU should exercise a less important role or leave more leeway for member states to adapt the rules to their national specificities. For example, the Netherlands is opposed to the idea of creating a eurozone budget capability to help certain countries reform and withstand economic shocks. The issue is related to strengthening economic and monetary union on the European Council's agenda at the end of the week. The Netherlands also expressed its opposition to (new) legislative initiatives in the insurance (natural disasters), environment (forests, efforts to tackle noise), transport (tunnel safety), employment (phasing out the Globalisation Adjustment Fund and assistance to the poor, quotas on women on boards of directors).
The Dutch government sets out nine recommendations on which the European legislator should draw to formulate new rules. For example, European legislation should be focused to as great an extent as possible on principles and more justified by impact studies. The European Commission should evaluate the inherent costs in implementing Community law. The Courts' case law should be used to a maximum in European law, whilst preventing too much tension occurring between EU and national objectives.
The report states, nevertheless, that the Dutch attitude to Europe is not now “purely negative”. In certain domains, European legislation is necessary, according to the Dutch authorities, citing the response to be brought “to the economic and financial crisis” as well as to “energy, climate, asylum, migration and completing the internal market”.
These ideas will be communicated at a European level and seek to inform discussion on European action which could begin with the new term of office of the Commission in autumn 2014. They will undoubtedly be positively received by the United Kingdom, which is also engaged in a reflection on its own place within the EU. InJanuary, the British prime minister, David Cameron, also announced a referendum on a renegotiated contract with or divorce from the EU (see EUROPE 10770). (MB/transl.fl)