Thirty-three years ago today, on June 2, 1992 (May 2, 1992 lunar calendar), the Danish referendum rejected the Maastricht Treaty, causing a shock in Western Europe. The rejection of the Maastricht Treaty by the Danish referendum caused a great shock throughout Western Europe. In addition to expressing disappointment and regret, the European Community countries have all emphasized the need to continue the process of establishing the European Union. German Foreign Minister Kinkel stressed that the rest of the European Community must move forward. To ratify the treaty, let Denmark make the choice whether to participate. Italian Foreign Minister Demichelis said at a press conference in Rome on the 3rd that the Italian government "reaffirms its determination to continue to take new steps along the line of building the European Union as set out in the Maastricht Treaty". The Irish government announced after an emergency meeting on the 3rd that it will hold a referendum on whether to ratify the treaty on June 18 as originally planned. Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Greece, Spain and Portugal have all expressed their intention to submit the treaty to their parliaments for ratification as planned. The British Prime Minister issued a statement on the afternoon of the 3rd saying that the British government continues to support the Maastricht Treaty. He also announced that the British government has decided to postpone the debate in Parliament, but stressed that it will ratify the treaty after assessing the legal and political implications of the Danish referendum. French President François Mitterrand and German Chancellor Kohl issued a joint statement on the 3rd, reaffirming the determination of the two countries to achieve European unity. The two heads of state called on the other member states of the European Community to ratify the treaty within this year. The Franco-German leaders also said they were fully in favour of holding negotiations with the European Free Trade Association as soon as possible on the accession of the member states of the European Union. Mitterrand announced at a cabinet meeting on the 3rd that he decided to "consult the French people" and that a referendum would be held, but Mitterrand did not set a specific date for the referendum. Danish Prime Minister Schluter ruled out the possibility of holding another referendum on the Maastricht Treaty on the 3rd. Schluter said after urgent consultations with various parties that the government will have to seek the possibility of negotiating with the European Union to modify the Maastricht Treaty. If this effort fails, he can only try to maintain Denmark's relations with the European Community in as many areas as possible. For countries applying to join the European Community, the result of Denmark's referendum has had different effects. Swedish Prime Minister Bildt said that Sweden may delay joining the European Community. However, Switzerland stressed that it will strengthen its determination to join the European Community.