"The possession of a Blue Flag has become a matter of prestige for coastal resorts, "he said.
Any beach with a blue flag has to display its water quality results, on easy-to-read signs.
The scheme is similar to the Green and Blue Flag projects for parks, green spaces and beaches.
The Blue Flag programme is a worldwide initiative run by independent non-profit group the Foundation for Environmental Education.
The 2013 blue flag beaches were revealed at an event hosted by Keep Wales Tidy in Rest Bay, Porthcawl.
An inquiry into a sewage spill which closed Blue Flag beaches in Thanet earlier this year has opened in Kent.
Alan Woods, chief executive of the Blue Flag scheme, urged all beaches to enter the scheme or risk getting left behind.
BBC: The Blue Flag awards highlight the best and safest beaches
Many mourners at Sunday's funeral waved the light blue flag of the Sunni-based opposition Future Party, while others carried Lebanon's national flag.
BBC: Beirut funeral for Wissam al-Hassan followed by clashes
On a fine day, take breakfast on the secluded terrace then make the short drive to Cardigan Bay, with its miles of unspoilt coastline and Blue Flag beaches.
Sandra Hall, assistant manager of the Beach Motel in Treaddur Bay, near Holyhead, Anglesey, said the bay's blue flag status was vital to the local economy.
BBC: Beaches' blue flags at risk due to wet summer pollution
However, Chris Jackson, chairman of the North Wales Tourism Partnership, said he did not believe the blue flag award was as relevant as it used to be.
"I have no time for the Europe of the blue flag and the little stars, some elevated ideal, " said Mr Rutte, speaking to Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad.
West Bay at Westgate was named for the second year in a row, while Margate Main Sands regained the Blue Flag that it last held in 2004.
BBC: The Blue Flag awards highlight the best and safest beaches
Early in the day Pope Francis glided through the square in an open-top vehicle amid a sea of colored banners, including the white and sky-blue flag of his home country of Argentina.
It is the tenth successive year that the council has been awarded a Blue Flag for the west strand in Portrush and the sixth time that the town's east strand has received the accolade.
Built in the 1970s, the harbour has been given Blue Flag status by the Foundation for Environmental Education in recognition of both its effort to protect the local environment and its high standard of safety and service facilities.
Visitors on the cruise ships that dock here are greeted by scarlet-red pillar-boxes, and even a roof bearing the red, white and blue union flag.
He wore a charcoal gray suit, blue tie, and American flag lapel pin.
In her collection of performance outfits and village wear produced with Adidas, McCartney did away with the traditional colors of the British flag and rendering it mostly in blue.
FORBES: Who Will Be The Best Dressed Athletes At The London Olympics
In Columbus, Ohio, participants were to hold red, white and blue cards to make a big U.S. flag.
Vivienne Westwood did it last year and used a Union Jack motif so the red, white and blue is like a section taken through the middle of the flag.
The flag she had made for her limousine featured a pair of voluminous calico knickers on a blue satin ground, because her maiden name was Bloomer.
They were a Union Flag towel, a green towel with a "Renaissance" label and a fleece which was originally blue and white, but is now badly stained and discoloured.
应用推荐