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Ukraine referendum: “Europe can and must be improved”
The Dutch have voted on the European Association Agreement with the Ukraine. As expected, the no-vote has won, with a large majority of 61.1 percent and a convincing 32.2 percent turnout rate. “In my opinion, this Dutch vote is the umpteenth signal that Europe can and must be improved,” European Parliament member Sander Loones states. “Traditional europhile politics have been proven to be bankrupt. What we need is euro-realism, rather than dreaming that is divorced from reality and lacks support in society.”
Formally, this referendum was about the Ukraine issue. But in reality, it was a vote about the failing European policy, especially the failing foreign policy and security policy.
Pandora’s box
By attacking the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, the Netherlands have probably opened Pandora’s box. “Unfortunately the referendum not only became a platform for euro-critics, but also opened the door for a pro-Russian voice that wishes to undermine the closer links between Ukraine and Europe,” says Sander Loones. After all, even though the referendum is not binding, its outcome is followed with interest in various European capital cities. Not least because it can impact the policy regarding Russia and the Dutch position in the European spectrum.
Alarm bells
“The Dutch government is currently holding the alternating chairmanship of the EU. This anti-European voice could not have come at a worse moment for them,” Sander Loones points out. “But they will have to start working on it. The electoral victory of Front National in France, the Brexit discussion in Great Britain, the rejection of the European judiciary policy in Denmark, the anti-European front forming in Eastern Europe and finally the Dutch referendum: they are all alarm bells that European leaders must not ignore if they want to avoid intensifying the growing dissatisfaction about Europe.”
“We must not pretend this outcome doesn’t mean anything,” Sander Loones warns. “With 32 percent, the turnout rate was more than convincing.” He therefore mainly views the victory of the no-vote as a vote against the uncontrolled flow of refugees and the failing European security policy. “Anyone who thinks that entering into a asylum agreement with Turkey and sharing air passenger details solves all problems is mistaken. We are at the beginning of sorely needed reforms.”