THE HAGUE: Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Friday he was disappointed by Britain's decision to leave the EU, but said it should be seen as an incentive to carry out reforms in Brussels.
"Firstly it's a disappointing result. It's also a stimulus to reform the EU," Rutte told Dutch media, shortly before leaving for Brussels to meet with the EU's top officials.
Rutte, who has been an ardent supporter for Britain to remain within the 28-nation bloc, also refuted far-right leader Geert Wilders' call for a referendum to leave the EU.
"I don't believe there's much interest in a referendum about it," Rutte said when asked about the eurosceptic Wilders' earlier call for a so-called "NExit", shortly after Britain voted to leave the EU.
"The Dutch people deserve a referendum as well. The Party for Freedom consequently demands a referendum on NExit, a Dutch EU exit," Wilders said earlier.
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