International

The SP has expressed vehement criticism of the agreement which the EU is hoping to conclude with Greece. According to SP Member of Parliament and spokesman on EU affairs Harry van Bommel, this agreement has been signed by the Greeks with a knife held to their throats. It does nothing to solve the structural problems in the eurozone. In his first reaction, Van Bommel described the agreement as ‘anything but social’.

A delegation from Transport and Logistics Netherlands (TLN), a truck driver who regularly makes the crossing to England, and SP Euro-MP Dennis de Jong met with European Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc to discuss the problems in Calais. ‘The Commissioner agreed with the actions we proposed,’ said De Jong. ‘She is going to put maximum pressure on the British to amend their policy on fines and on both them and the French to rapidly improve facilities at the Eurotunnel. At the same time she expressed disappointment at the lack of action from the minister responsible, Melanie Schultz Van Haegen. The two had a meeting recently on the matter, but the promised letter from the minister has not been received by the Commissioner. This letter will have to come this week, however, so that Bulc can take things further.’