Dutch PM makes final vote appeal

AMSTERDAM - Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende made a final appeal to voters, urging them not to reject the European Union constitution saying the charter would not cause the country to lose influence in the 25-member bloc.

"It is not so that just a few countries will determine what will go on (in the EU)," Balkenende told the "Network" news programme, addressing fears that it would be overshadowed by larger nations such as France and Germany.

The Netherlands, with a population of 16.3 million, votes on the EU constitution on Wednesday and polls indicate the "No" camp is likely to secure a clear victory.

Balkenende repeated earlier comments that many people opposed to the document were so for the wrong reasons.

"Some people are saying it is about Turkey. Turkey doesn't have anything to do with this. Some people are saying it is about government policy. It isn't," he said.

Balkenende added that business owners should back the charter as it would help create a more efficient environment for their enterprises.

"The European market will function better and we won't have to wait so long for decisions to be made," he said.

"The constitution will make Europe more open and more transparent," Balkenende added.

Support for the European Union in the Netherlands -- like France one of the bloc's six founding members in the 1950s -- was traditionally strong but has taken a knock in recent years against a backdrop of rising political and social tensions.

France voted to reject the EU treaty in a referendum on Sunday.

- REUTERS