Macron meets Dutch PM on EU rescue plan
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail Xinhua, June 24, 2020
THE HAGUE, June 23 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron met with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte here on Tuesday to seek support for the Franco-German agreement on a European Union (EU) recovery program for the challenges caused by COVID-19.
During the meeting, both heads of state discussed the recovery fund proposal by the European Commission. They also spoke about the EU's multi-annual budget.
The proposal of the European Commission consists of a 750-billion-euro (848-billion-U.S. dollar) recovery fund for countries affected by COVID-19. Of this amount, suggested by Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, 500 billion euros would be given through grants and 250 billion euros would become available through loans.
The Netherlands has been very critical about the size and conditions of this recovery fund, mainly meant to help the countries hardest-hit by the pandemic in southern Europe. Together with Austria, Denmark and Sweden, The Netherlands demands more stringent conditions, like drastic reforms in the respective countries. They also believe that help should be given in the form of loans, not in grants.
"Faced with COVID-19, solidarity between Europeans has saved lives," Macron said on Twitter ahead of the visit. "Nearly 200 French patients were treated by Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Austria. We have delivered medical equipment to several countries, including Italy."
An extraordinary European Council meeting is scheduled in Brussels next month. Macron and Merkel already called for an agreement at or after this meeting to boost the European economy hit by the COVID-19 lockdown.
According to Rutte, a rush is not necessary. "It's not like something would go terribly wrong if we would not have a deal in mid-July," Rutte said earlier.
"By the European Council in July, we must convince our partners on the basis of this Franco-German agreement," Macron added. "Negotiations are progressing and everyone must be heard. In the Netherlands, tonight, I will chat with Mark Rutte. We both believe in this solidarity that makes our Europe." Enditem
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)