Britain’s prime minister David Cameron will be in the Netherlands later this week to discuss his ideas to reform Europe and the pending referendum on British membership. Denmark, France, Poland and Germany are also on the list of stopovers, as Cameron seeks to gather support for his plans.
The talks with Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte will take place on Thursday, broadcaster Nos reports. This weekend it emerged that millions of other Europeans, including some 60,000 Dutch nationals, will be excluded from taking part in the crucial vote, even if they have lived in Britain for years.
Meanwhile, ING economists said on Monday a decision by Britain to leave the EU will also hit the Dutch economy. The ‘unrest’ which the referendum will cause will slow down the growth of the British economy and have a knock-on effect on the rest of Europe, news agency ANP reported.
Dutch exports will be hit and the Netherlands will lose a key ally in its wish for more market-orientated reforms, the ING economists say.
