Dutch Government Plans to Campaign for Ukraine before Association Vote
The Dutch Government plans on conducting a campaign in support of Ukraine before the referendum on the Association Agreement (AA) between Ukraine and the EU, Mark Rutte, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands stated.
As reported by EUobserver, an independent online newspaper, Rutte, who is currently the president of the EU Council of Ministers, stated at a press conference in Amsterdam on Thursday, January 7th, that the Association Agreement is positive for both Europe and the Netherlands.
"I will explain why this agreement was signed...We are a trading nation. We live according to free trade agreements and Ukraine is another example of this," he said.
Rutte also emphasized that the Dutch Government supports the AA with Ukraine. At the same time, he noted that the Association Agreement has nothing to do with Ukraine joining the EU.
"We will explain why people should vote ‘yes’ on the referendum," stated Bert Koenders, the Minister for Foreign Affairs for the Netherlands.
As reported, the referendum on the Association Agreement (AA) between Ukraine and the EU that will go for public vote in the Netherlands on the 6th of April, is not binding. However, if the majority of the Dutch vote against the AA, the Dutch Government will have to review its decision.