Ukraine should never join EU – Dutch Prime Minister — RT News Trends Ukraine turmoil The Netherlands, which is holding the EU rotating presidency till July, is against Ukraine’s membership in the bloc because “we believe that Ukraine should have good relationships with both with Europe and Russia,” Rutte told NU.nl, stressing that “it cannot be the case if [Ukraine] is in the European Union.” He also stressed that, “in the long term,” Ukraine should develop good and stable relations with Russia, although he admitted that it is not possible right now “due to the developments in Crimea and eastern Ukraine.” Read more Dutch vote against EU-Ukraine deal would pressure govt to ‘reconsider’ position – FM However, “it is the long-run period that matters,” he emphasized at the same time. Rutte also drew attention to the fact that Ukraine and Russia historically have close ties. “It is also about the history of Ukraine. If you look at history, Russia also originated in Kiev and other parts of Ukraine,” he said in the interview. The prime minister also admitted that Russia’s attitude towards Ukraine is at least partly understandable.

“You cannot deny that Russia has a right to ask Ukraine to have good relationship [with Russia.] Russia only goes too far when it says that Ukraine may maintain good relationship only with Russia.” At the same time, he said that, if the Dutch reject the association agreement between the EU and Ukraine, Russia can regard it as a support for its own position that Ukraine should follow a policy focused solely on Russia. “We should not reward such aspiration of Russia,” he said. Earlier in March, Jean-Claude Juncker also said that Ukraine is unlikely to join the EU and NATO in the near future. “Ukraine will definitely not be able to become a member of the EU in the next 20-25 years, and not of NATO either,” he said in his speech in the Hague on March 3, urging the Dutch citizens to vote for the association agreement at the referendum at the same time.

Association agreement ‘is not about’ Ukraine’s accession to EU At the same time, Rutte stressed that he supports the association agreement between the EU and Ukraine by saying that it could “greatly benefit” his country as it could provide “stability on the borders of Europe in an unstable world.” Read more 3 in 4 Dutch voters oppose EU association agreement with Ukraine – poll “Europe is prosperous but there is instability on its borders. There are large migration flows, there is terrorism. Stability on the [EU] borders is important,” he told NU.nl adding that the agreement could help to foster “rule of law, development” and fight corruption. He also stressed that free trade between the EU and Ukraine could strengthen the Dutch economy. Addressing some concerns of the people opposing the agreement, Rutte said that this treaty is not “a step towards [Ukraine’s] accession to the European Union.” Kiev’s association agreement with the bloc provisionally came into effect on January 1. In order for it to become permanent, the document has to be ratified by all EU’s 28 member states.

In the meantime, a poll conducted by the Dutch television program EenVandaag in January demonstrated that 75 percent of the Dutch voters were against the ratification of the association agreement. Over 50 percent of voters said they would “definitely” vote against it, while another 25 percent of the respondents said they were “likely” to reject it. Another opinion poll conducted by the Dutch Volkskrant newspaper on March 13, demonstrated that 57 percent of the Dutch still oppose the association agreement. Read more Ukraine-EU agreement a ‘George Soros road to nowhere’ - Keiser The referendum, which will be held on April 6, is advisory, thus its results will be non-binding for the government. At the same time, a 30 percent voter turnout is enough for its results to be taken into consideration by the authorities, Dutch media report. According to the EenVandaag poll, more than half of the voters will certainly go to the polls in April, with another 17 percent saying they will “most likely” do so. The referendum was triggered by a petition signed by some 450,000 people and launched by a satirical news website called GeenStijl.

Under Dutch law, any petition that gains more than 300,000 is enough to trigger such a vote. Despite the public skepticism about the association agreement, the Dutch PM said he is optimistic about the results of the referendum by saying the he has “great confidence in the Dutch people” and “the outcome of the referendum.” Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte Date of Birth: 14 February 1967 Birth Place: The Hague, Netherlands Political Party: People's Party for Freedom and Democracy Arrival in Power: 14 October 2010 Religion: NA Profession: NA Biography: Mark Rutte was born in The Hague, Netherlands, in 1967. Mark Rutte is the current Prime Minister of the Netherlands. Mark Rutte attended Leiden University where he studied History. Mark Rutte served a few State Secretary posts before running as the leader of his political party in the 2006 elections, following these elections he became the leader of the opposition. In 2010 his party came first in the elections and he formed a coalition government, in which he became the new Prime Minister of the Netherlands.

Mark Rutte resigned from his post as Prime Minister on April 23 2012. Mark Rutte Formed a new government on November 5th 2012. Thoughts & Comments Updated on: January 1st, 2014 Former Prime Minister of the Netherlands Jan Peter Balkenende Date of Birth: 7 May 1956 Birth Place: Biezelinge, Netherlands Political Party: Christian Democratic Appeal Arrival in Power: 22 July 2002 Religion: Reformed Protestant Profession: Civil Servant, Politician, Professor, Scientist Biography: Jan Peter Balkenende was born in Biezelinge, Netherlands, in 1956. Jan Peter Balkenende was the Prime Minister of the Netherlands. Jan Peter Balkenende studied at the Free University in Amsterdam, where he obtained a Master's degree in law and a Ph.D in law. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1998. Jan Peter Balkenende became prime minister for the his first term in 2002, when he was asked by Queen Beatrix to form the government.

Jan Peter Balkenende has been prime minister ever since, however he is currently only the caretaker prime minister until a new government can be formed. Surge for Dutch anti-Islam Freedom Party - BBC News Surge for Dutch anti-Islam Freedom Party 10 June 2010 Close share panel Image caption Geert Wilders said he wanted to be part of a new government A Dutch anti-Islam party has more than doubled its seats in parliament in a national vote, though it is unclear if it will take part in a coalition. Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders said he wanted to be part of government. The election saw the centre-right Liberal Party (VVD) emerging as the largest party, one seat ahead of the centre-left Labour Party. The Christian Democrat party of outgoing Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende suffered a big defeat. Weeks of coalition negotiations are expected to follow the election. With more than 99% of votes counted, the VVD had 31 of 150 seats, while Labour had 30. As the party with the most seats, VVD leader Mark Rutte could now become the first prime minister from his political camp since World War I.

Headscarf tax The unexpected big winner was the anti-Islam Freedom Party, the PVV, which took its number of seats from nine in the last parliament to 24 - its best-ever finish. The campaign had been dominated by a debate over the economy, which was thought to have eclipsed immigration as an election issue. ANALYSIS But the strong showing for the Freedom Party, led by the controversial Geert Wilders, is a sign that immigration was still a powerful theme, correspondents say. Mr Wilders has campaigned to stop the "Islamisation of the Netherlands". He wants the Koran banned, and has suggested a tax on headscarves worn by Muslim women. "Nobody in The Hague can bypass the PVV anymore," he said on Thursday, AFP news agency reported. "We want to be part of the new government." The Netherlands is the first country in the eurozone to vote since a crisis erupted earlier this year over the single European currency, amid concerns about debt in Greece and other southern states. The Dutch economy was contracting for a year before the country emerged from recession in the third quarter of 2009. Mr Rutte has advocated steep budget cuts, a pared-down government and a reduction in benefits for immigrants.

"The Netherlands can emerge stronger from the crisis by taking measures now," he said after the vote. The VVD, which had 21 seats in the outgoing parliament, had topped opinion polls for several weeks. Labour lost two seats compared with the previous elections in 2006. Balkenende quits Final results will not be declared until 15 June, when all overseas votes have been counted. Image caption Mark Rutte's Liberals edged out Labour by one seat Without an outright majority in the 150-seat parliament, the VVD and Labour will now have to try to forge a coalition with at least two other parties, the BBC's Geraldine Coughlan reports from The Hague. Mr Rutte has reportedly said he would not exclude any party from a possible coalition. During the campaign, he said he would have a coalition in place by 1 July if his party won - though analysts questioned whether this would be possible given the closeness of the result. After the Christian Democrats plummeted to a historic low, outgoing leader Jan Peter Balkenende resigned his position as party leader and said he was quitting politics - though he also said he would stay on as caretaker prime minister until a new coalition was formed.

The party won 21 seats, 20 fewer than at the last election in 2006. Mr Balkenende described his party's crushing election defeat as "disappointing". "The outcome is clear. I've told the president of our party that I will be resigning as party leader and that I won't be serving as a member of parliament," he said. The election - the fourth since 2002 - was called after the centrist coalition government, between the Christian Democrats and the Labour Party, collapsed in February. The government fell when Labour withdrew from the coalition after refusing to extend the Dutch contribution to the Nato force, as outgoing PM Balkenende wanted. Dutch troops are therefore expected to leave Afghanistan by August.

Dutch prime minister discourages ‘business as usual’ approach with UK Dutch prime minister discourages ‘business as usual’ approach with UK Jean-Claude Juncker says Johnson and Farage ‘not patriots’ but are ‘leaving the boat’ Tue, Jul 5, 2016, 11:12 Updated: Tue, Jul 5, 2016, 11:13 Suzanne Lynch in Strasbourg Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte said that he, like many other citizens woke up on the morning of June 24th feeling “pretty dreadful.” Photograph: Frederick Florin/Getty Images Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte has urged the European Union not to continue with “business as usual” following the British referendum result. He warned that to do so would “show complete disregard for the reality in member states.” Addressing members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in Strasbourg to mark the conclusion of the Dutch presidency of the EU, Mr Rutte said that the “worst possible response” to Brexit would be to continue as before.

“I also believe it would be wrong to rush blindly forward towards more political integration and a more federal Europe because that too would be a denial of the sentiment felt by many European people, to whom the EU is - or has become - something remote and aloof.” Mr Rutte said that he, like many other citizens woke up on the morning of June 24th feeling “pretty dreadful.” “We are in uncharted territory. And we must be honest: even if we find the perfect way to handle this ‘divorce’, our problems won’t simply melt away. It’s not only British voters who have doubts about European cooperation. In other member states, too - including the Netherlands - there is widespread criticism and euroscepticism. And we need to address it.” Discussions on hold Following last week’s summit, the European Council has put any substantive discussion on the future of the European Union on hold until September at the earliest, when the EU’s 27 leaders, without Britain, will gather in Bratislava .

In an interview over the weekend, German finance minister Wolfgang Schauble said that now was not the time for “grand visions.” Updating MEPs on last week’s summit, European Council president Donald Tusk said that leaders understood that “some time is needed to allow the political landscape to settle in Britain, but they also expect the intention of the UK government to be specified as soon as possible.” ADVERTISEMENT European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, who has attracted criticism in some member states of his leadership of the EU’s executive arm, strongly criticised the behaviour of some advocates of a Leave vote. “Those who have contributed to the situation in the UK have resigned - Johnson, Farage and others….They’re not patriots. Patriots don’t resign when things get difficult, they stay.” He said he did not understand why those who had campaigned for Brexit now need months to decide how to proceed. “I would have thought they had a plan. Instead of developing a plan, they are leaving the boat.” His views were echoed by Manfred Weber , the head of the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) . “The standard bearers for Brexit - they’ve now jumped ship.

We don’t know where Mr Farge is today, perhaps he’s on a tropical island enjoying himself.” ‘Need to respect the Brexit decision’ But the influential German MEP also reiterated that access to the single market for Britain involved free movement of people as well as goods. “We need to respect the Brexit decision. The framework for forthcoming negotiation is clear. The internal market is tightly linked with the basic freedoms. It’s not acceptable for lorries to be able to circulate freely on our motorways, but for our citizens to be stuck in front of barriers. That’s very important.” Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson said that Brexit would damage Northern Ireland “more than it will damage anywhere else.” “Brexit will turn the North into an economic basket case… The Democratic Unionist Party’s leave campaign was reckless and wrong and a political football was set up to get stronger links with Britain, harder borders and to destroy the economy of Ireland. The people of Northern Ireland voted to remain and they want that respected.” Ireland ‘blackmailed and bullied’ Independent MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan said the British referendum result has triggered “alarm bells” across the EU.

While the European Community that Ireland joined with Britain in 1973 was a project of “peace and prosperity,” the EU which has brought the euro to the fore has been a “catastrophe.” Ireland had been “blackmailed and bullied into taken loans that weren’t ours,” he said, adding: “Undo this union, starting with Lisbon and Nice.” British Liberal Democrat MEP Catherine Bearder said she spoke for the 48 per cent of people who had voted to remain in the European Union, criticising what she described as a “poor campaign, packed with lies.” Janice Atkinson , a former UKIP MEP said it was imperative that Jean-Claude Juncker and the European Commission takes no part in the forthcoming negotiations, stressing the importance of trade to the talks. “The 52 per cent voted. We are going. The United Kingdom has the Commonwealth. Our Queen is the head of state of many countries. Maybe this is why you need to be part of this sclerotic union,” she told MEPs. Print Comments5 Dutch caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte is expected to once again form a coalition government after the general elections in the Netherlands on Wednesday (12 September), experts predict.

However, the outcome of the election is still highly uncertain as many voters remain undecided. After an election campaign focused on the economy, the Netherlands' relationship with the EU, the eurozone crisis and health care, Rutte's liberal party VVD is leading the polls with 35 seats in the 150-seat parliament. "Rutte is as a person still perceived as competent," said Hans Vollaard, assistant professor at the Institute of Political Science at Leiden University. "He has had some problems in the TV-debates. People have considered him less truthful, but in general they see him as a competent prime minister, and his party is doing fairly well in the polls meaning that he is getting more seats than in the last election in 2010," Vollaard said. Only two weeks ago, analysts thought the election was going to be a battle between Rutte and Socialist (SP) leader Emile Roemer. However, things changed after the first big televised debate.

"Roemer has been really popular the last two years, but now when he had the chance of becoming prime minister, you could see on screen that he wasn’t really feeling good about himself," said Andy Langenkamp, global political analyst at ECR Research and expert on Dutch politics. Langenkamp said the reason why the SP suddenly isn't so popular among the Dutch voters has less to do with their policies and more to do with Roemer's poor TV performances. Centre-right coalition expected Compared to Roemer, Labour (PvdA) leader Diederik Samsom has done well in the debates. The former executive of a green energy company only became leader of his party six months ago. "He seems really honest and confident. He’s good on stage and prime minister-like," Langenkamp said, adding that Samsom seems "honest about Europe," as he has stated that Greece might need more time in order to make its reforms work. Though PvdA and SP would like to work together in a coalition, the chances of a centre-left government in the Netherlands after Wednesday seem small. Therefore, Samsom has decided not to rule out joining a government with Rutte.

Samsom's PvdA is currently set to win 27 seats in the Dutch parliament. "It would be difficult for them [Rutte and Samsom] to agree on the economic policies, but both parties want reforms, though there are big differences between them. So it will be difficult. But they have to make an effort to make it work if the elections turn out as how the polls now predict," Langenkamp said. Both political experts, Vollaard and Langenkamp, foresee a new Dutch government consisting of Rutte's VVD, Samsom's PvdA, Rutte's previous coalition ally the Christian Democratic party (CDA) and the social-liberal party D66. EU relations top issue For the first time in a Dutch general election, attention has been drawn to EU policies though the state of the economy and health care top the agenda. Vollaard expects 10% of the Dutch voters will base their vote on the EU issue. Vollaard said that the Labour party was doing well in the polls despite their unpopular message among Dutch voters, that the Netherlands might have to give a eurozone country like Greece more time and another bailout.

"It might suggest that the Dutch public isn’t as eurosceptic as everybody says because it doesn’t matter for his rising position in the polls," Vollaard stated. During the election campaign, Rutte has stated that "enough is enough" when it comes to Greece and a third bailout. However, what's said in an election campaign should not always be taken too seriously. "Rutte has shown before that sometimes his rhetoric does not completely cover what he’s actually doing in practice," Vollaard said, adding that as of now the VVD, SP and the Freedom Party are against more money to Greece. This is also the official opinion of the German government. The Netherlands is one of a few EU countries opposing Romania and Bulgaria's entry to the Schengen open border area. The Netherlands is also wary of accession talks with Serbia. No matter what government will be formed after the election, the Netherlands' stand on these issues will remain unchanged, Vollaard predicts. The Dutch government has in the latest month "done everything" to raise further suspicion in the Netherlands about the rule of law in Romania and Bulgaria, he said. It's also apparent that reluctance to further enlargement is present among all parties in the Netherlands.

"Many parties, even the pro-European CDA, perceive the accession of Romania and Bulgaria as a mistake. So I wouldn’t expect much of a change," Vollaard said. Wilders without influence Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right and anti-immigration party, the Freedom party (PVV), has played a less prominent role in the campaign. Wilders, who has drawn attention to himself and his party through statements such as "I don't hate Muslims, I hate Islam", has brought anti-EU and anti-euro talk to the table as the immigration issue has been largely absent. "Wilders’ popularity has gone down the drain. He’s far less popular than he was three years ago. That’s why he has changed his strategy, hitting on the EU and the eurozone. He won’t support any government this year. No one wants to work with him, basically," Langenkamp said. After having been the party on which Rutte's government coalition could expect support since 2010, the Freedom party denounced the government over budget cuts in April this year. Langenkamp emphasises that some people still blame Wilders for the early elections.

"Rutte gets some of the blame, but the most blame goes to Wilders. He stepped out of the government negotiations, not Rutte," the political analyst said. Undecided voters Last week, a poll showed that as many as 43% of the voters in the Netherlands were undecided, keeping the election result wide open. "That makes the final phase of the election always so exciting because only a minor thing, a poor performance, a stupid remark or a scandal can get the voters to change their vote for a similar party," Vollaard said. However, voters usually hesitate between two or at maximum three parties that share many political views. They are not floating from left to right on the political scale, but for example between two right-wing parties. Langenkamp added that another reason why many have not decided where to put their cross could be that there is a lot of insecurity in general in society due to the financial crisis. "This is our fifth election in 10 years so there has been a lot of instability. That does not help either of course," he said. Among undecided voters, Langenkamp said Labour has an upside potential.

Many liberals have decided to vote for Rutte, but the PvdA can still take a lot of voters from the SP and other left-wing parties. Background Prime Minister Mark Rutte's centre-right coalition government collapsed in April over proposed budget cuts. The controversy centred around the proposed 1.6% of GDP deficit reduction mandated by EU rules, which would likely entail substantial cuts to health and pension spending. In recession since July 2011, the Netherlands has since become one of the eurozone’s worst performers, expected to shrink 0.9% this year, while triple-A peers Germany, Finland and Luxembourg are seen growing moderately. The snap election will be held on 12 September. Timeline Dutch vote for change — to the right | Public Radio International Dutch vote for change — to the right June 10, 2010 · 4:14 PM UTC Updated: Comment THE HAGUE, The Netherlands — Dutch electors voted overwhelmingly for change Wednesday.

They booted out Jan-Peter Balkenende, their prime minister of nine years, handing victory to a right-of-center, pro-business party for the first time in the country's history and gave a huge boost to an anti-Islam firebrand who wants to close mosques and ban the Koran. "This is a glorious day for the whole Netherlands ... . More security, less crime, less immigration and less Islam is what the Netherlands has voted for," proclaimed Geert Wilders , leader of the anti-immigration Freedom Party, who is facing prosecution under hate-speech laws. However, the right's success was matched by a solid vote for the Labor Party led by Job Cohen, the Jewish former mayor of Amsterdam who built his reputation on reaching out to the city's large Muslim community. Two other left-wing parties, the Greens and the liberal D-66 party also did well. Wilders' party more than doubled its score, rising to become the third party in parliament with 24 of the 150 seats. With 10 parties now engaging in what are expected to be lengthy coalition talks, Wilders may yet become a minister in the Dutch government.

Leading the coalition talks is Mark Rutte, leader of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, or VVD, which became the biggest party in the Netherlands for the first time since it was founded after World War II. However, its victory was the narrowest in Dutch history. The VVD won 31 seats compared to 30 for the Labor Party in second place. The most likely scenario is that those two parties will form a broad governing coalition that excludes Wilders, but Labor and the VVD have deep differences over the economy and immigration, which might open the way for the Freedom Party. "We don't rule out any coalition," Rutte said when asked if he'd bring Wilders into government. Rutte, a youthful former Unilever executive, is most likely to become prime minister. His party traditionally presents itself as economically conservative but socially liberal. It is calling for drastic cuts in public spending in order to control a budget deficit of 6.6 percent — low by the standards of many European countries, but the Netherlands' highest in 15 years. The VVD has also moved toward a tougher line on immigration, taking on some of the Freedom Party's ideas on limiting the entry of newcomers into the country.

However, the voters' swing to the right was matched by gains by left-of-center parties. Support for the Labor Party has rebounded under Cohen with his message of inter-community tolerance. The left-leaning D-66 party tripled its vote to win 10 seats and the Green Left increased its representation to from seven to 11. The big loser was Balkenende's centrist Christian Democratic Appeal, which saw its support collapse. "CDA Flattened. Dramatic end to the Balkenende era," said the headline in the daily De Telegraaf newspaper. The party was left in fourth place with just 21 seats down from the 41 it won in the last election in 2006. Balkenende immediately announced he was stepping out of frontline politics, resigning as party leader and refusing to take his seat in parliament. He will stay on as caretaker premier until a new government is formed. Under Balkenende, the Netherlands had been strong ally of the United States, supporting the invasion of Iraq and sending 1,700 troops to serve with NATO in one of the most dangerous parts of Afghanistan.

A government split over a parliamentary vote to pull those troops out this year forced Balkenende to call the elections a year ahead of schedule. It's unlikely any new government will reverse that decision to bring most of the Dutch troops home. Despite the success of the free-market VVD, Dutch business leaders expressed that the narrowness of the victory will mean that any new government will not be strong enough to impose the tough economic measures that the country needs. Rutte has said he wants savings of 20 billion euros over five years, Cohen says the cuts can be limited to 11 billion euros. "Considering the economic measures that are needed, this is an awful result," Bernard Wientjes, head of the Netherlands employers association, told Dutch radio. He called on the two biggest parties to put differences behind them and work for a strong economic program. Whatever the shape of the eventual government, the Dutch are braced for a period of austerity. A rise in the retirement age from 65 to 67 looks to be inevitable. Among the estimated 850,000 Dutch Muslims there is mounting disquiet about Wilder's success.

"It bothers me that people believe the lies he tells about us," said a 30-year-old housewife doing her shopping while wearing traditional North African dress in the center of The Hague. "I was born and raised here," added the woman of Moroccan origin, who declined to give her name, "but I know that some of my neighbors must vote for Wilders, they are two-faced." While you are here... The work we do has never been more important — whether it’s because of “news” that might not be news at all or healing the deep divides in our country. Now more than ever, we need conversation, perspective and diverse voices. Will you support PRI in our efforts to create a more informed empathetic world? Dutch PM points way for ties with Beijing - China - Chinadaily.com.cn Dutch PM points way for ties with Beijing By Fu Jing in The Hague, Netherlands (China Daily) Updated: 2014-03-20 09:07 Comments Print Mail Large Medium Small Rutte praises peaceful use of nuclear materials and energy by China High-tech, agriculture and water management are among the industries that offer great opportunities for cooperation between China and the Netherlands, according to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

China is an example of the peaceful use of nuclear materials and energy, Rutte said in an interview with China Daily ahead of the third Nuclear Security Summit, to be held in The Hague on Monday and Tuesday. He also said bilateral relations will "undoubtedly" grow stronger with President Xi Jinping's visit to the Netherlands. It is the first European country Xi will have visited since taking the presidency one year ago. Rutte will meet Xi for the third time, following their meetings in Beijing in November and in Sochi, Russia, for the Winter Olympics opening ceremony last month. Speaking at his historic office building in The Hague, Rutte said China's growth has brought positive changes to the world and the Netherlands "is very able and more than willing to join China on this historic journey". "I am very much looking forward to working with President Xi to forge political, economic and cultural relations between the two countries," he said. Rutte recalled his visit to Beijing, saying he had a "fantastic" dinner with Xi and discussed a wide range of issues. "As a host, he was extremely warm. ... I found him very much on top of things and in charge. So he is really someone I can do business with.

I forged a sound working relationship with him," said Rutte, who became prime minister in 2010. He said his country wants to deepen high-tech cooperation with China, as the sector is growing fast in China and the Netherlands has plenty of expertise and knowledge of it. Rutte said water management, agriculture and food are among the industries where the two countries have great potential for cooperation. "Even in the 1990s, I was quite impressed by the growth of Chinese industries, particularly investment in agriculture," he said. Encouraging Chinese companies to invest, the prime minister stressed his country's role as a gateway to Europe, citing Rotterdam's status as the biggest European port, along with foreign language skills and infrastructure advantages. Rutte said he will travel to China as soon as possible with a trade mission. The Netherlands is China's second-biggest trading partner in the European Union. About 1,000 Dutch companies operate in China, and more than 350 Chinese firms have set up shop in the Netherlands. Rutte said Xi's participation in the Nuclear Security Summit will contribute to global peace. "I'm glad President Xi will attend the summit. His direct involvement makes it possible to achieve results," he said.

"Our goal is simple - to prevent nuclear terrorism and reach an effective agreement on vital issues." Rutte said the summit aims to reduce the amount of dangerous nuclear materials in the world and to improve security of these materials. He said China has led the way in the peaceful use of nuclear materials and energy and is an example to many parts of the world, as it is drafting national nuclear security regulations. Rutte said China has mapped out a comprehensive plan for future nuclear security activities and has achieved a sound security record on nuclear power operation, which other countries could emulate. "I would suggest that China, as a big country which has a lot of knowledge of nuclear history, continue these activities, which are very much in line with the analysis process and very inspiring," Rutte said. "I believe other countries, and personally the Netherlands, could follow up." Li Xiaofei in Brussels contributed to this story. fujing@chinadaily.com.cn Who will be the next leader of Europe? | The Independent Europe Who will be the next leader of Europe?

With the frontrunner under a cloud, two women are being touted as possible choices for the next president of the Commission Saturday 7 June 2014 23:00 BST Click to follow The Independent Online Helle Thorning-Schmidt, the Prime Minister of Denmark, (right); Jean-Claude Juncker, (centre) and Dalia Grybauskaite, the President of Lithuania (left) Getty Two female European leaders are emerging as possible candidates for the next head of the European Commission after the frontrunner, Jean-Claude Juncker, was reported to be considering withdrawing his name. Helle Thorning-Schmidt, the Prime Minister of Denmark, and Dalia Grybauskaite, the President of Lithuania, who both have experience of Brussels, were being discussed by European officials as consensus candidates for the job of commission president after David Cameron emphasised Britain's fierce opposition to Mr Juncker. Mr Juncker's camp vigorously denied he was pulling out of the race after the German newspaper Der Spiegel quoted aides to Herman Van Rompuy, the European Council president, as saying he was expected to withdraw.

But his campaign suffered a further setback when The Times reported allegations by former intelligence officials that he had indulged in a drunken, loud-mouthed rant in an official meeting in 2007. Mr Cameron will travel to Sweden tomorrow to push for an alternative candidate to the former Luxembourg premier, in talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The PM has two allies: the Prime Minister of Sweden, Fredrik Reinfeldt, and the Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte. While the largest grouping in the Brussels parliament, the European People's Party, has the right to name its preferred candidate – Mr Juncker – the alternative campaign, backed by Britain, Italy, Sweden and the Netherlands, will easily block him in a vote. Ms Merkel is in a difficult position, say Brussels officials, because while Mr Juncker is from the same European parliamentary grouping, she is known to be open to a fresher face. Downing Street declined to say whether Britain had a preferred candidate, stressing that it was "not about individuals but about the characteristics of the person in the job".

A source said: "It is important to have a range of candidates … We are very much trying to avoid personalising this." But Mr Cameron is strenuously opposed to the arch-federalist Mr Juncker. Meanwhile shadow Europe minister Gareth Thomas has written to Conservative chairman Grant Shapps asking for the Tories to be more open about their new parliamentary bedfellows. The Conservatives' group in the European Parliament is admitting the right-wing Danish People's Party and True Finns, formerly allied to the UK Independence Party. THE CANDIDATES Helle Thorning-Schmidt, the Prime Minister of Denmark Helle Thorning-Schmidt Born and raised Born in 1966 in Rodovre, Denmark, to academic parents and grew up in Copenhagen. After graduating from the University of Copenhagen, she won a scholarship to the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium, where she met her future husband, Stephen Kinnock, son of the UK's former Labour leader Neil Kinnock. A Social Democrat MEP and later party leader in Denmark. Current job Prime Minister of Denmark – the first woman to hold the post and the embodiment of Borgen's heroine, Birgitte Nyborg.

Awards Last year she accepted the prestigious Gift to the Earth award from the global environment group WWF for her government's target for 100 per cent of Denmark's energy to come from renewable sources by 2050. Personal drama Parents divorced when she was 10. Once let rip at a fellow Social Democrat who called her 'Gucci Helle' because of her love of designer handbags; has since said the nickname doesn't bother her. International status Denmark is not in the top flight of G8 nations but is a key member of the EU. Although on the centre-left, she has maintained strong links with David Cameron. Scandal Admitted to a 'big, sloppy error' when, as leader of the opposition, the Danish tax authorities investigated the discrepancy in her and her husband's tax affairs. The investigation was subsequently dropped. Friends and enemies Her husband says: 'I think she's the only PM who does all her own washing. I don't know how she does it.' But the New York Times called her a 'Danish tart' after the selfie with Cameron and Barack Obama at Nelson Mandela's memorial service. Social media status Not on Twitter, but the selfie-taking was retweeted thousands of times.

It has never been made public. Chances Her background makes her a natural choice and she has one year left of term as PM. Increasingly talked about as a potential candidate for Commission presidency. Dalia Grybauskaite, the President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite Born and raised Born in March 1956 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Student then lecturer in political sciences; after the country's independence from the Soviet Union in 1990 worked as an official in the foreign affairs department; later finance minister and EU budget commissioner. Current job President of Lithuania since 2009, re-elected last month. Awards Doctorate of letters from Georgetown University, US; named Woman of the Year by Glamour (US) in 2010. Personal drama A black belt in karate and known as Lithuania's Iron Lady, she vowed to 'take a gun myself to defend the country' against Russian aggression in the wake of the break-up of Ukraine. International status A staunch supporter of Ukraine's new president, Grybauskaite is respected in Europe and knows Brussels inside out. Scandal Known for her ability to steer clear of major scandal.

Friends and enemies Close to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who also grew up under communism. Social media status Has 13,000 followers on Twitter – not much for a president but an enthusiastic tweeter. Posted a picture of herself meeting Steve Tyler of the band Aerosmith. Chances Fair. Despite just being re-elected president, she could emerge as the consensus candidate between Merkel and Cameron. Jean-Claude Juncker Jean-Claude Juncker Born and raised Born in 1954 to a steelworker and trade unionist in Luxembourg. Became a member of the Luxembourg Chamber of Deputies for the Christian Social People's Party at 29. Current job Was prime minister for 18 years, by the end of which he was the world's longest serving democratically elected head of government. Resigned last July after exposure of abuses by the secret service. Awards Ten medals and awards including Greece's highest honour, the Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer. Personal drama Spent two weeks in a coma in 1989 after a car crash. International status Owed his position as PM to British stroppiness.

In 1994, John Major objected when the Belgian PM, Jean-Luc Deheane, was nominated for the post of EC president, so the previous Luxembourg PM, Jacques Santer, got the job. He was a disaster. Scandal He is, allegedly, a boozer. Der Spiegel said in February that it was not uncommon to see him knock back 'two gin and tonics and a beer' over lunch. He says he finds it 'offensive' having to deal with such rumours. Friends and enemies According to one of his aides: 'It is an accepted truth that you could walk across Europe and not find a single ordinary citizen with a bad word to say about him.' But according to former Luxembourg intelligence agent André Kemmer: 'Juncker was dead drunk, ordered himself two espressos and … said "I fuck around where, whom, and when I want, do you understand me?"' Social media status He has almost 40,000 Twitter followers. On Wednesday, he told them: 'I am more confident than ever that I will be the next European Commission president.' Chances Until the last few days, they were high.

But fresh reports of his behaviour, together with fierce opposition from Cameron and wavering from Merkel, mean they are dwindling by the hour. Rutte's path to power in the Netherlands | Euronews Rutte's path to power in the Netherlands Now Reading: Rutte's path to power in the Netherlands Today's Top Stories last updated: 12/09/2012 Euronews Mark Rutte’s early ambition was to become a concert pianist, instead he orchestrated his political party to the summit of power in the Netherlands. The dashing unmarried 45-year-old had been involved in Dutch politics since the early 1990s before becoming a member of Parliament for the Liberal Party, the VVD in 2003 and its leader three years later. His first electoral campaign was criticised from within his party but four years later in the general election of 2010 the VVD won 31 seats to become the largest party in the House of Representatives for the first time. Mark Rutte was asked to form a government by Queen Beatrix. He was the first Liberal Prime Minister of the Netherlands since 1918.

The party’s majority was slim in the election just one ahead of the opposition left so he turned to Geert Wilders Party for Freedom for support. There was common political ground on a policy of strict immigration but progress hit the buffers when it came to Europe. Mark Rutte is pro- European to him it is inconceivable that his country’s future could be outside the EU’s political boundaries. The falling out came over reducing the public deficit, to three percent, which would have cut 16 billion Euros of spending and met EU budget targets. Wilders is anti-European and despite all the negotiations over several months the two failed to reach any form of political compromise. Wilders and his party withdrew their support and the alliance failed. Ruttte’s government had lasted for 558 days, making it one of the shortest lasting Netherlands cabinets since World War II Leading up to this poll for the first time attention was focussed on the economy and EU policies. The Netherlands has been in recession since July 2011 and has since become one of the eurozone’s worst performers expected to shrink 0.9 percent his year. Mark Rutte’s in-tray will be bulging. Share this article:

Question: Marke Rutte became Prime Minister of which European country in 2010?
Answer: Netherlands