Dutch European parliamentarians form collective think-tank   

By The Holland Times Monday 14 September 2009, 14:09

The first ever 'Orange Symposium' is scheduled for 20 October in Strasbourg. The meeting is the initiative of Dutch MEP Wim van de Camp (CDA).

The aim: work tirelessly for Dutch interests.

While the idea is new for the Netherlands, their German counterparts have been consulting regularly for many years now, regardless of their political party affiliations. The future of Volkswagen, for example, is a multilateral German interest.

The symposium is open to all incoming and outgoing Dutch MEP's in both Brussels and Strasbourg. The burning question, however, is what exactly are Dutch interests?

Hans van Baalen (VVD) was quick to point out that Dutch businesses have a strong interest in further liberalised markets, but the cries of protest from the Socialist Party could be heard ringing through the corridors. Similar disparities can be found on issues such as European asylum policy and human rights. The VVD and CDA want fair but strict policies, while GroenLinks want to see such policies become more generous.

"Those are all bad examples," retorts Van Camp in de Volkskrant. "Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Verhagen (CDA) is hugely disappointed that the European Commission has not commissioned a report into child labour and trafficking. This is something we can all effectively collaborate on as Dutch MEPs."

Again such standpoints are met with trepidation. SP Euro-MP Dennis de Jong saying "we are not representing the Dutch government in Europe. The Dutch interest is best and only served by the Second Chamber."