Europe & EU

Dutch push to restart asylum returns to Italy exposes first fault line in EU migration pact

Dutch Prime Minister Jetten and Italian Prime Minister Meloni in Brussel / photo: IT

The Dutch government hopes a new message from Brussels will help convince Dutch judges that returns to Italy can resume. But while the European Commission says reception capacity across the EU is now adequate, Dutch courts remain unconvinced. The dispute could become one of the first major tests of whether Europe's new migration pact can deliver in practice.

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The Netherlands and other EU countries walk out of IMF meeting as Russian Finance Minister speaks

Dutch Finance Minister Eelco Heinen has walked out of an IMF meeting in Bangkok during a speech by Russia's Finance Minister, in a sign of growing Western unease over Moscow's return to international economic forums. The protest comes as the United States and other hosts have

Pro-European, but 'frugal': Dutch Prime Minister Jetten takes tough line in EU budget negotiations

Prime Minister Rob Jetten is one of Europe’s most pro-EU leaders. Yet as negotiations over the EU’s next long-term budget enter a crucial phase, the Dutch premier is firmly aligned with the bloc’s frugal countries. A new proposal from European Council President António Costa is

Quiet reshuffle in VVD, new MP for foreign affairs

The VVD has quietly reshuffled its foreign affairs team in the Dutch House of Representatives, giving one of the party's most strategically important parliamentary portfolios to MP Queeny Rajkowski. The move comes as geopolitical tensions, defence debates and international crises increasingly dominate Dutch politics. But behind the scenes,

How the Netherlands is tightening its laws against Russia's shadow fleet

The Dutch government wants to give authorities new powers to stop, inspect and even detain vessels linked to Russia's so-called shadow fleet, arguing that the ships pose not only a sanctions risk but also a growing threat to critical infrastructure in the North Sea. Exclusive reporting and

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The Netherlands and other EU countries walk out of IMF meeting as Russian Finance Minister speaks

Pro-European, but 'frugal': Dutch Prime Minister Jetten takes tough line in EU budget negotiations

Quiet reshuffle in VVD, new MP for foreign affairs

How the Netherlands is tightening its laws against Russia's shadow fleet