I'm disappointed, of course, and so are many other people....The government, along with many political parties and civil society, campaigned for a "yes". So, of course, we aren’t happy about this result....But there is also good news, like the high turnout and the energetic debate that has emerged all over Europe...

The Dutch government believes this ratification process should now continue as planned in other countries. At the end of the process, it will be important for us to see how each country has responded to the treaty...The Netherlands, as one of the founding fathers of the Union, will remain a constructive partner within Europe for taking on the problems that matter to all of us. I will tell my fellow European leaders that they must do justice to the Dutch "no". Because we understand the Dutch voters' concerns. About losing sovereignty. About the rapid pace of change, in which the public doesn’t feel involved. And about our financial contribution. The European Union must take account of these issues.