After much criticism, the Dutch government now wants to give a “gift” to
other European countries that are grappling with the coronavirus
outbreak, including Italy and Spain.
The Netherlands unveiled Wednesday a plan for a “coronafund,” a common basket of cash filled with contributions from member states. “These are not loans or guarantees, but gifts to help people in need,” Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told lawmakers on Wednesday.
France, for example, also wants a common EU fund to help with costs. Bruno Le Maire, the French finance minister, told the Financial Times Wednesday that this fund should have a five to 10-year limit.
“Having a fund for, let’s say, five or 10 years — with a limited timeframe — and with the possibility of having common debt but only within that fund, which might be more acceptable for other countries, might be a solution,” Le Maire told the newspaper.
Speaking at a press conference Thursday, Le Maire said the Dutch proposal was a “first step in the right direction.”
Read more: Coronavirus EU latest: Dutch offer as death toll rises in Spain, Italy
The Netherlands unveiled Wednesday a plan for a “coronafund,” a common basket of cash filled with contributions from member states. “These are not loans or guarantees, but gifts to help people in need,” Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told lawmakers on Wednesday.
France, for example, also wants a common EU fund to help with costs. Bruno Le Maire, the French finance minister, told the Financial Times Wednesday that this fund should have a five to 10-year limit.
“Having a fund for, let’s say, five or 10 years — with a limited timeframe — and with the possibility of having common debt but only within that fund, which might be more acceptable for other countries, might be a solution,” Le Maire told the newspaper.
Speaking at a press conference Thursday, Le Maire said the Dutch proposal was a “first step in the right direction.”
Read more: Coronavirus EU latest: Dutch offer as death toll rises in Spain, Italy
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