European government leaders have responded too late, too slowly and insufficiently to the euro crisis, former Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok says.

In an interview on Dutch radio, Mr Kok said that when the euro was introduced 10 years ago, not enough concrete steps were taken that would prevent sovereign debt increasing over the agreed levels. “There was no political majority to do so,” according Mr Kok. As finance minister in the early 1990s, Mr Kok was involved in the creation of the euro.

Countries insisted they themselves would ensure compliance with the budget rules, Mr Kok notes, but major economies such as France and Germany were among the first to breach them. It is therefore essential, Mr Kok insisted, that compliance is enforced, not by the individual governments, but by the European Commission.

In December, euro-zone countries agreed they would face automatic sanctions when their budgets exceed the agreed limit. Prime Minister Mark Rutte, however, opposes any transfer of powers from The Hague to Europe.

Mr Kok sees “a certain amount of transfer” as inevitable. A way back, with less EU influence, is not viable, Mr Kok said. When the problems in Greece emerged in May 2010, one of the key problems was precisely that it was not clear who was responsible for what, Mr Kok added.

He also regards the decision process as lacking in transparency. “I also see fear. No one wants to call a spade a spade. Be frank about it: we’re not doing it, because we want to help the Greeks. We’re doing it because in doing so we also want to help ourselves.”

The former PM urges Europe’s leaders to do more. “I can see there are political tensions and people are inclined to run for cover, but that won’t solve anything. This is the very time we should make a stand, “ Mr Kok concluded.

A former union leader, Mr Kok served as finance minister between 1989 and 1994, and twice as prime minister between 1994 and 2002.

(cl/rk/cl/jric)

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