10:20 23.09.2016

Dutch premier says his country unlikely to ratify EU-Ukraine Association Agreement

1 min read
Dutch premier says his country unlikely to ratify EU-Ukraine Association Agreement

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has stated the country's government is unlikely to ratify the association agreement between the EU and Ukraine, taking into account the results of the April referendum, in which the Dutch opposed this agreement, BBC Ukraine has reported.

"I think we won't ratify [the agreement]," he said, speaking in the parliament.

Due to the fact that, in accordance with the EU standards, before entering into force the agreement must be ratified by the government of each EU member state, Rutte expressed hope Ukraine will be able to continue negotiations with the other 27 EU countries.

According to the edition, observers note that the Netherlands has the choice: either to ratify the association agreement, regardless of the plebiscite, or agree with the other EU countries that the agreement or some of its provisions will not apply to the Netherlands.

Some 61% of Dutch citizens, who came to the polling stations, voted against the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU at a referendum held in the Netherlands on April 6. The turnout was 32% with the quorum being 30%. Legally the outcome of the referendum is not binding for the government.

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