News Analysis: Netherlands takes over EU Presidency in challenging time

In a time when the European Union is being severely put to the test, the Netherlands took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in an attempt to focus on the essentials, create growth and jobs through innovation, and to connect with civil society.

The four priority areas the Netherlands will be focusing on are migration and international security, sound finances and a robust euro zone, Europe as an innovator and job creator, and a forward-looking climate and energy policy.

After the terrorist attacks in Paris and due to the influx of refugees, the pressure is on in the European Union, a situation acknowledged by Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Bert Koenders in his State of the European Union letter to the European Parliament late in 2015. "As holder of the Presidency we will have a key role to play over the coming six months in keeping the EU on course," he stated.

The Netherlands has been in the forefront of European unity for a long time, aiming for a federal Europe. It had been among the founding fathers of EU's predecessor, the European Community of Coal and Steel in 1952. For the 12th time in history the Netherlands holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, with the last time being in 2004.

In recent years, there has been a growing anti-Europe sentiment in The Netherlands, as in other countries of the EU. Although worded in rather general phrases, the general aim of the Dutch program is clear. It is to desperately muster public support, both internally and among member states.

While a "Grexit" was solved at enormous costs, a new, even more dangerous "Brexit" seems to loom on the horizon. The European continent shows a disproportional increase of the ageing population. Unemployment is high, especially among the youth and among those aged over 50. The economy is slowly recovering from a severe crisis, but developments are still very unbalanced.

The problems that face the European Union are huge and solidarity among member states is very low, as was demonstrated in the refugee crisis. Making connections will be a key theme during the Dutch Presidency.

The EU must, according to the Dutch, connect with its citizens, so that they can identify with EU decisions. The Netherlands also aims to be a reliable and effective mediator that forges compromises between the 28 member states of the European Union, the European Commission and the European Parliament.

To encourage the active involvement of people and civil society organizations in European decision-making, a visitors' center will be located near the Presidency venue in Amsterdam. There visitors can learn more about the history and operation of the EU.

The Netherlands believes the EU must focus on areas that will make Europe stronger, such as prosperity, freedom and security. The EU should according to the Dutch not involve itself in matters that the member states are perfectly capable of dealing with themselves, like health care, education, pensions and taxes.

The migration crisis has, according to the Dutch government, revealed various shortcomings in the European area of freedom, security and justice that require action. "The EU cannot afford to shy away from this," Koenders said in his State of the European Union letter. "The crisis requires a common approach, to ensure the rapid elaboration and implementation of the European Commission's package of proposals on migration."

The Netherlands wants the EU to focus on addressing the political and economic root causes of migration, on finding the right approach to people smuggling and border control, on improving reception and protection in the region and providing future prospects for refugees so they can return to their country of origin.

It is clear that the challenge of migration and refugees is high on the agenda during the Dutch Presidency. In addition, the economies of the member states have not yet fully recovered from the financial and economic crises, and the rising employment rates and economic upturn are still only modest. So creating sustainable growth, innovation and jobs remains a top priority for the Netherlands.

The Netherlands sets great store by creating new jobs and promoting an innovative economy in the EU. The Netherlands wants to achieve this by, for instance, removing obstacles for companies that want to do business in other member states, concluding trade agreements, protecting workers more effectively against exploitation and unfair competition.

As pointed out as fourth priority, the Netherlands is committed to a coherent approach to issues concerning the climate, the environment and sustainability, committed to a European Energy Union and to a forward-looking climate policy. The Netherlands emphasizes the synergy between these issues and is working towards a future-proof model for sustainable growth.

Each EU Presidency works closely with the two member states that preceded or will follow it, called the "Trio Presidency". The Netherlands, which will hold the Presidency from Jan. 1 to June 30, 2016, is partnered with the next Presidency's of Slovakia ( July-December 2016) and Malta (January- June 2017).

To mark the start of the Dutch Presidency, the European Commissioners will visit the Netherlands on Jan. 7. They will meet the entire Dutch cabinet of Prime Minister Mark Rutte at the Maritime Museum in Amsterdam.

The national Maritime Museum in Amsterdam will be the venue for ministerial meetings during the Netherlands Presidency, while meetings of high-level officials will take place at the former naval yard next to the museum, the site of the Europe Building, a temporary structure that has been constructed and equipped for high-level meetings organized by all ministries.

At the Europe Building Rutte will speak to Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the European Commission, on Thursday. The other members of the government and the European Commission will at the same time have several sessions on various topics and the European Commission will later on Thursday be received by Dutch King Willem-Alexander at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.

In his State of the European Union letter, Koenders expressed the hope that over the next six months the Dutch EU Presidency will foster unity and resolve, to ensure the European Union can help alleviate people's concerns. "This Union of 28 member states is not perfect," he said. "But it provides essential tools with which to tackle the challenges of today." Enditem