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Three European Union (EU) heads vowed in Brussels on Wednesday night that Europe can find a way out in settling the ratification crisis of the EU Constitution, which was deepened by another "no" from the Dutch referendum on Wednesday.
This strong message was conveyed by a joint declaration issued by European Parliament President Josep Borrell Fontelles, Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, holder of the current EU presidency and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso right after the results of Dutch referendum were known.
"We are confident that together and in partnership - national governments, European institutions, political parties, civil society - we will know how to find the means to move the European Union towards an enduring consensus as to its identity, its objectives and its means," said the statement.
The three heads said they "respect" the Dutch choice, but they remained "convinced" that the EU charter makes the EU "more democratic, more effective and stronger."
The EU's first constitution treaty needs the ratification from all the 25 EU member states, and nine states have so far concluded the process, two rejected while another 14 member states have not yet done the job.
The three heads thus urged the ratification process should continue despite another "no" in the Netherlands, another founding states of the bloc.
"All Member States must be able to express themselves on the project of the Constitutional Treaty," the declaration said.
However, due to the complicated situation, Luxembourg, the current holder of the EU presidency, has decided that the EU summit on June 16-17 "could usefully carry out a serious collective analysis of the situation."
"Furthermore, we hear the messages sent by the citizens of France and the Netherlands on the European project and we note them well. The European Institutions will listen to the concerns of European citizens and they will come together to offer a response," said the declaration.
(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2005)
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