The split of the ancient Netherlands in the 16th century is “the greatest disaster that has ever happened to us,” he said, repeating what he had already entrusted last June.
Closer cooperation between the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg is a “political objective necessary for our future,” he insisted.
Bart de Wever referred to article 350 of the Treaty on the functioning of the EU, which offers the Benelux the possibility of cooperating more than the EU countries already do. “The possibilities are so huge and crucial that we could make” article 350 “a slogan,” he said.
According to the Prime Minister, a rapprochement between the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg would be beneficial for the prosperity of these countries and for their influence in Europe.
For Bart de Wever, the European Union must also strengthen its cohesion, particularly in the area of intra -community and migration policy. “Our internal market is our main commercial destination,” he said. The Head of Government wishes a more consistent capital market and “services market”, for example in the fields of telephony and energy.
Prime Minister A criticism of asylum and family immigration from EU countries has also been criticized, saying that relatively few “EU non-unrestrains” work. Rather, he advocated a “selective work immigration”, including from countries outside the EU. “A new migration model will offer better opportunities to newcomers, whose talents and experience will contribute more to our prosperity.”
Bart De Wever also wants the European Union to work in favor of “strategic autonomy”, in particular by concluding trade agreements. He considers the environmental rules that hinder the exploitation of raw materials as a form of “green masochism”.
