“It’s an overriding obligation for politicians to honour agreements made.” Those were the words of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, about five months ago. Rutte and his finance minister Jan Kees de Jager have been lecturing the other EU Member States for the past year and a half about the […]
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is to tender his cabinet’s resignation to Queen Beatrix after the collapse of talks on an extra round of austerity measures, Dutch media reported on Monday. It is expected that Rutte will present his resignation to the queen at a meeting at the palace later […]
It has been confirmed that government talks on billions of euros’ worth of extra cutbacks have broken down. More spending cuts are needed to reduce the 2013 budget deficit to within the European Union limit – three percent of GDP. Recriminations Prime Minister Mark Rutte accuses Mr Wilders of lacking […]
Turkish President Abdullah Gül marked the end of a three-day state visit to the Netherlands in a ceremony in the southern city of Maastricht attended by Queen Beatrix. After the Dutch and Turkish national anthems were played in a square in the centre of the city, President Gül inspected a military guard […]
In 2011, more Dutch citizens travelled to conflict regions to take part in Islamist insurgencies than in previous years. AIVD writes that Dutch jihadists were also increasingly successful in linking up with senior members of international Islamist networks. Read more: RNW
Queen Beatrix has praised Turkey’s “great past” and the important role Turkey has played in the region and in the world. “Your country is a stable factor in a turbulent region in which existing powers and relations are constantly being challenged,” the queen told President Abdullah Gül. “To many your […]
The anti-Islam Freedom Party (PVV) in the southern province of Limburg has slammed its own provincial representatives Antoine Janssen and Theo Krebber because they have agreed to attend a lunch with Turkish President Abdullah Gül, who is currently on a visit to the Netherlands. The two provincial councillors will be […]
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands will be paying a state visit to Turkey from 13 to 15 June, a spokesperson has announced. The trip is part of celebrations marking 400 years of diplomatic ties between the Netherlands and Turkey. The Queen will visit Ankara and Istanbul, and attend a performance […]
Prince William of Orange was inspired by the tolerance of the Ottoman Sultans. In 2012, the Netherlands and Turkey are celebrating 400 years of diplomatic relations. Anti–Islam party leader Geert Wilders spoke out against celebrating relations with the Muslim nation, which he portrayed as cruel and suppressive. He is not […]
Dutch politician Geert Wilders wants the Netherlands to cancel plans to celebrate 400 years of relations with Turkey. He says Turkish president Abdullah Gül is not welcome here on a state visit this week. But Mr Wilders’ arguments are an insult to adult intelligence, says Radio Netherlands senior editor Robert Chesal. […]
Wilders: Gül is no friend of the West On Wednesday and Thursday, Mr Gul will travel to The Hague and the southern province of Limburg. The president will open a special Turkish pavilion in the town of Venlo, the birthplace of Geert Wilders. Wilders, whose anti-Islam Freedom Party props up […]
Turkish President Abdullah Gül has called Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders an Islamophobe. In an interview with Dutch mass-circulation daily De Telegraaf, President Gül said Mr Wilders represents an extreme voice, […]
A clash of political cultures is playing out in The Hague. An institution dating back to the renaissance is increasingly at odds with the current government and its partner, the 21st century anti-Islamic movement established by Geert Wilders. The Council of State was established in 1531 to review proposed laws […]
Princess Máxima of the Netherlands visited Indonesia and Malaysia last week to discuss the issue of financial inclusion ahead of the next G20 summit. Dipo Alam, Cabinet Secretary of the Second United Cabinet of the Republic of Indonesia, reports from Jakarta for RNW’s Indonesia desk. The opinions expressed are his […]
A 60-year-old foreign affairs ministry worker was arrested on March 24th and is suspected of selling sensitive information to Russia. News of the arrest was released over the weekend. Police believe that over a period of seven years, the man passed “highly confidential” information to a couple living in Germany. […]
An 11-year-old Dutch school boy has been awarded a €100 prize for his efforts in an international competition for top economists to prepare a contingency plan for a break-up of the eurozone. The committee organising the Wolfson Economics Prize said Jurre Hermans was the youngest person to compete. Jurre, whose […]
The parents of juveniles convicted of vandalism may soon be responsible for any damages caused by their children. Dutch daily AD reported on Tuesday that the Christian Democrats (CDA) are proposed new legislation to this effect. According to the paper, a majority of MPs support the plan. Currently, parents are […]
The famous bullet holes left in Delft’s Prinsenhof following the 1584 murder of Prince William of Orange by a Catholic Frenchman are authentic, recent forensic research suggests. An exhibition at Delft’s Prinsenhof on the reconstruction of the murder opens today. William of Orange, also known as the “Father of the Fatherland”, […]
The Sunnah mosque in The Hague has suspended Sheikh Fawaz for at least three weeks for allegedly insulting board members and disturbing a meeting. In an interview with Radio Netherlands Worldwide, Fawaz al-Jneid voiced anger and frustration. Sheikh Fawaz is known for his extreme opinions. In the past, he said […]
Many well-known spots in the Netherlands switched off their lights for an hour on Saturday evening for Earth Hour. Several cities including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Groningen turned off the lights of some of their characteristic monuments. The seventh edition of Earth Hour was joined by a record 147 […]