The Guardian: Our rude awakening - by Jan Peter Balkenende, PM of the Netherlands

GuardianOur rude awakening-by Jan Peter Balkenende, PM of the Netherlands

Tony Blair today won crucial support for his campaign to undertake a root and branch reform of the EU's £68bn budget after his Dutch counterpart endorsed Britain's attack on farm subsidies.
To the delight of Downing Street, Jan Peter Balkenende criticises the "rivers of subsidies flowing" to farmers. Mr. Balkenende also wrote in the Guardian: "Why have we reached this impasse? Not because Dutch and French voters rejected the constitutional treaty, nor because European leaders failed to agree on a budget for the union. Those events were the result of developments beneath the surface, which received too little attention for far too long. Seen from that vantage point, we should not blame each other or talk about a crisis, but think about how to make the most of this opportunity for reflection and reform. Despite the result of our referendum, when Dutch people are asked "Do you support EU membership?", more than three-quarters say yes. Only in Luxembourg and Ireland is the percentage higher. None the less, it is increasingly clear that the public's attitude towards Europe has changed. The desire for peace and stability is no longer an ironclad argument for further European integration. In a relatively short time, the EU has undergone tremendous growth, which made it possible to spread prosperity and stability to the new member states. But as diversity has grown, it has weakened people's sense of belonging to a larger whole, and not just in the Netherlands. Many people are worried about the future. Despite their concerns, very little money is available to reform the EU, even though reform is vital to establish a position of strength relative to the US and China. Most of the EU budget is reserved for agricultural subsidies and support for regions in wealthy countries - a fact that has not escaped public attention. In this period of slow growth, it would be irresponsible to increase the total budget. There is a better solution: reforming the existing budget to prepare for the future. We have had a rude awakening: but it may have been just the wake-up call we need." Mr Balkenende's intervention was obviously welcomed in Downing Street, which is fighting to reach agreement on the EU budget during the British presidency of the EU, which ends in December. Mr. Balkenende presently has very little public support in his own country. Under his leadership, the Netherlands went from a thriving economy to the worst in the European Union.