Obama 'to push for Dutch G20 position'

Monday 14 September 2009

US president Barack Obama has told crown prince Willem-Alexander he is to personally push for a greater role for the Netherlands in the G20, according to various newspaper reports on Monday.

According to the Telegraaf Obama wants the Netherlands to be a permanent member of the G20 - a grouping of the world's 20 biggest economies.

'The president said he valued our input.... as we said goodbye he said he was an absolute supporter of the Netherlands remaining involved in the G20 and will work towards that,' the paper quoted the prince as saying.

Willem-Alexander and princess Máxima had a meeting with the president during their trip to New York for the Henry Hudson 400 celebrations.

Pittsburgh summit

The Netherlands is attending the Pittsburgh G20 summit later this month as an observer on the invitation of the US president.

Obama, who is facing strong criticism for his efforts to reform the US health insurance, also praised the Dutch healthcare system, the NRC quoted the prince as saying.

In the Netherlands, health insurance companies must all offer a similar basic package of healthcare agreed on by the government.

© DutchNews.nl

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