Watch it here
Netherlands
Waarom we onze grenzen juist open moeten gooien
I was interviewed about migration for Dutch magazine Vrij Nederland by Marco Visscher
Interviewed on Buitenhof
On 7 June I was interviewed about the crisis in the eurozone, Greece, Germany, the Dutch economy on Buitenhof, a leading political TV programme in the Netherlands. Watch here. Starts at 22nd minute, for 18 minutes
Hotel Europe
I was interviewed about the benefits of immigration and the creation of a pan-European labour market throughout this fantastic Dutch documentary by VPRO TV called Hotel Europe: Go Where the Work Is. Watch it here
Thought of the day: Geert Wilders
Geert Wilders is a nasty piece of work. The far-right politician has compared the Koran to Mein Kampf and called Islam fascist.
But why, oh why, are the authorities in the Netherlands playing into his hands by putting him on trial for saying the vile things he says?
They will only succeed in making him a martyr to free speech, and boost his electoral popularity.
The right way to tackle him is by confronting his arguments, not trying to silence him.
Spain attracts most immigrants in EU in 2007
Net immigration to the EU – immigrants less emigrants – was 1.9 million in 2007, according to Eurostat. Since the EU population is just shy of 500 million, the immigration rate was 0.38%.
Spain had the highest level of net immigration: 702,000; Italy was second, with 494,000; Britain third, with 175,000. The Netherlands experienced net emigration, with 1,600 more people leaving than arriving.
Scheffer on Immigrants
Dutch journalist Paul Scheffer, who shot to fame by sounding the alarm about what he sees as the dangers of multiculturalism in Europe, has reviewed Immigrants in NRC Handelsblad. The review is in Dutch, which I unfortunately don’t understand, so I can only guess what it actually says. Dutch speakers can check it out here