The Netherlands is a ‘very strong ally’ for Britain within Europe, British prime minister David Cameron told reporters in The Hague on Thursday.

Cameron is on a whirlwind tour of EU capitals in an effort to win support for his reform plans following the general election earlier this month.

Cameron met Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte in his official residence for talks. ‘We will discuss many issues but it is evident that we will talk about European reform, the need for flexibility, the need to focus on growth and jobs and the internal market,’ Cameron said on his arrival.

The NRC said Rutte does not favour a special position for Britain within Europe, as Cameron wants. However, he is keen to do all he can to keep Britain within Europe, the paper said.

‘The Netherlands considers Britain as an insurance policy against the dominance of Germany and France,’ the paper said.