The decision of Standard & Poor's Ratings Services to cut the credit rating of nine eurozone countries was "no surprise," a spokesman of the Dutch Financial Department said Saturday.

"This news confirms our concerns about the European debt crisis and its possible implications for the Netherlands," the spokesman said. "It comes as no surprise."

According to S&P, France and Austria lost their gold-plated AAA rating to AA+ and seven other European countries including Spain and Italy were also downgraded. But the Netherlands kept its AAA rating along with Germany.

"It stresses the message of the importance of structural reforms. The Netherlands has a strong interest in the adequate dealing with this crisis," the spokesman said.