Dutch begin media offensive on EU border controls, ahead of presidency

In advance of the Dutch EU Presidency, January - June 2015 DutchNews.nl reported on the 27 November that Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte and finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem were focusing in a series of articles in European newspapers on the challenges facing the EU from the refugee crisis and, in particular, warning about the impact of the EU's failure to properly secure its borders.

Earlier in November 2015 Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koender had in a State of the European Union letter to parliament said: 'More focus is needed on the comprehensive approach to migration and international security. According to the government, member states have a collective responsibility to use their capabilities to help reduce the human suffering caused by war and poverty. However, the migration crisis has revealed various shortcomings in the European area of freedom, security and justice that require action'.

• Primary Source

EUObserver, 27.11.15: Dutch PM: Islamic State can't change Europe's way of life https://euobserver.com/justice/131277

Sputnik International, 27.11.15: Dutch PM Warns EU to Avoid Roman Empire's Fate Amid Refugee Crisis http://sputniknews.com/europe/20151127/1030842973/rutte-eu-roman-empire-refugees.html

ESO: Background information: Five nations consider mini-Schengen http://www.europeansources.info/record/five-nations-consider-mini-schengen/

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

ESO: Background information: Valls urges European Union to limit migrant numbers http://www.europeansources.info/record/valls-urges-european-union-to-limit-migrant-numbers/

ESO: Background information: Schengen is dead? Long live Schengen! http://www.europeansources.info/record/schengen-is-dead-long-live-schengen/

DutchNews.nl, 26.11.15: EU breakthrough on refugees is getting closer, says Dutch PM http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2015/11/eu-breakthrough-on-refugees-is-getting-closer-says-dutch-pm/

The Netherlands: Government: News, 16.11.15: Koenders in Presidency edition of the State of the European Union: We must keep Europe on course https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2015/11/16/koenders-in-presidency-edition-of-the-state-of-the-european-union-we-must-keep-europe-on-course

Politico, 27.11.15: Mark Rutte: Migration could bring about EU’s decline and fall http://www.politico.eu/article/migration-eu-decline-and-fall-dutch-rutte-roman-empire-rutte/

European Parliament: Newsroom: Press Release, 03.12.15: 'Turbulent times': EP's political leaders discuss priorities incoming Council presidency http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20151203STO06116/

EP: EPRS: Briefing, December 2015: Priority dossiers under the Dutch EU Council Presidency http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2015/573880/EPRS_BRI(2015)573880_EN.pdf

The Netherlands: Government: News, 04.12.15: Dutch Design during the EU Presidency https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2015/12/04/dutch-design-during-the-eu-presidency

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