Rutte in his weekly press conference says Hoekstra is a good negotiator and not too strict. He isn't convinced that the Netherlands stands alone. Want to show solidarity with southern Europe but again insists that post-crisis those economies need to work on competitiveness.

Group of countries opposed to debt mutualisation. Some other countries also in favour of conditionality in some form in an ESM programme.

Not worried about NL being the bogeyman in the debate. Continues to make the distinction between healthcare spending and economic measures in terms of attaching conditionality.

Wants to “help countries be in a stronger position next time something like this happens”.

Responds to coalition partner D66 being worried about Dutch position in EU by saying that his line enjoys broad support in parliament and that he knows that D66 is not part of that majority.