economies are interdependent and crises can easily spread

'All EU countries should be forced to clean up their economies'

Monday 17 October 2011
The European Commission should have the power to force all EU countries to solve problems with their economies, economic affairs minister Maxime Verhagen says in an opinion piece in Monday's Volkskrant.
Verhagen wrote that Europe's economies are interdependent and crises can easily spread from one country to another. 'Countries with solid policies are being confronted with the bill from countries which have not controlled their economies and finances' he said.
'This is why we in Europe must not only make strict agreements but must ensure these agreements are met. That has not happened enough and the Netherlands wants to make changes,' the minister wrote.
According to the Volkskrant, this means non-eurozone countries like Britain, Poland and Sweden could also be forced to take action.
Verhagen's comments come in the run-up to next weekend's crucial EU summit in Brussels which will focus on eurozone finances. 'But this is no more than a symptom of the crisis,' Verhagen wrote. 'It is not just about healthy finances, but about healthy economies.'
Prime minister Mark Rutte is due to meet French president Nicolas Sarkozy on Monday to discuss the summit.
Last month, the Netherlands launched a plan to create a new European commissioner who would focus on ensuring countries meet their eurozone commitments.

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