News
Releases
No. 59/05
June 2, 2005
JOINT STATEMENT OF PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,
PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL AND PRESIDENT OF THE
EUROPEAN COMMISSION ON THE NETHERLANDS REJECTION OF THE
REFERENDUM ON THE TREATY ESTABLISHING A CONSTITUTION FOR
EUROPE
On June 1st, the President of the European Parliament
Josep Borrell Fontelles,
President of the European Council
Jean-Claude Juncker and President of the European
Commission
José Manuel Barroso gave a joint statement on
the rejection of the referendum in the Netherlands on the
Treaty establishing a
Constitution for Europe.
"The people of the Netherlands, like the voters of France,
have chosen to say no to the ratification of the
Constitutional Treaty.
"This is a choice that we respect. The result of the
democratic ballot taken in the Netherlands comes at the
end of a rich and intense debate and deserves a profound
analysis, to which we must now dedicate the necessary
time.
"We remain convinced that the Constitution makes the
European Union more democratic, more effective and
stronger, and that all Member States must be able to
express themselves on the project of the Constitutional
Treaty.
"The fourteen Member States that have not yet had the
chance to bring to a conclusion the process of
ratification are today faced with a situation in which,
although nine member states have ratified the
constitutional treaty, two Member States have rejected it.
For this reason, the Presidency has decided that the
Council of 16 and 17 June could usefully carry out a
serious collective analysis of the situation.
"Furthermore, we hear the messages sent by the citizens of
France and the Netherlands on the European project and we
note them well. The European Institutions will listen to
the concerns of European citizens and they will come
together to offer a response.
"We are confident that together and in partnership –
national governments, European institutions, political
parties, civil society – we will know how to find the
means to move the European Union towards an enduring
consensus as to its identity, its objectives and its
means. Because Europe goes on, and its institutions will
continue to function fully."
Further Contact Information
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Tel: 202-862-9552
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