Dutch PM Rutte: quick implementation of ESM needed

AMSTERDAM Jan 15 (Reuters) - Dutch Prime Minister said he has talked with Germany's leader Angela Merkel about the importance of implementing Europe's permanent rescue fund ESM as quickly as possible after credit rating agency S&P downgraded several European countries.

"It gives extra urgency to establishing the fund," Prime Minister Mark Rutte told Dutch television programme Buitenhof, referring to S&P's downgrades on Friday. (Reporting by Gilbert Kreijger; Editing by Sara Webb)