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"We have to act wisely," says Dutch PM Rutte on Brexit

Xinhua, June 24, 2016 Adjust font size:

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Friday expressed disappointment over the result of the British referendum on EU and called for calm in his first public response over the Brexit vote.

"Step by step we have to find a stable solution to minimize the consequences on our economy," Rutte told the press in The Hague, "We have to act wisely...It(Brexit) is a motivation to reform the European Union."

While denying there's much interest in a scenario of the Netherlands' withdrawal from the EU, the Dutch leader said most Dutch people understand that cooperation in a common market like the EU is of crucial importance.

The Netherlands has the EU Presidency until June 30 this year. Shortly after the media appearance, Rutte was on his way to Brussels to discuss the Brexit at the EU headquarters, with European Council President Donald Tusk, among others.

"Hurrah for the British!," Geert Wilders, leader of Netherlands' far right party PVV, wrote in his Twitter account. "Now it is our turn. Time for a Dutch referendum!" Endi