"Latvia conceptual vision of the European Union is that of an economically strong and politically stable union capable of protecting its member states’ interests in all areas in the global arena, whilst preserving the European Union as a community of nation states in which Latvia, along with other countries, can retain its national foundations.

"It is necessary to renew the European project to ensure it has life, vigour and importance in a 21st century which is shaped by new challenges and new paradigms of development. This is why we must do whatever it takes to ensure our fellow citizens view the European Union as an essential contribution to the solution of our current problems and an exciting project for the future.

"It is becoming increasingly clear that if Europe is to overcome its crisis, business as usual will not suffice. We need a Europe that is more concrete, less rhetorical, and better suited to the current global economy. We need to focus not only on the European Union’s specific policies, but also on how to change its “politics” – a change that must place economic growth at the top of the agenda.

The Dutch view of Europe is reflected in a policy document setting out nine broad principles and 54 specific recommendations. The guiding principle is described as "European where necessary, national where possible" and calls for a European Union that is more modest, more sober and at the same time more effective. The document calls for a significant scaling back of EU powers and notes that the Dutch Presidency in the first half of 2016 could play a role in promoting such an agenda.