Queen Beatrix stressed that the Netherlands very much values the strong economic ties it has with Turkey during her meeting with the Turkish prime minister Recep Erdogan on Wednesday. According to the Dutch economic affairs ministry, Dutch exports to Turkey are worth €3.3 bn and imports are valued at €1.8 bn.

The queen met Erdogan at his official residence in Ankara together with economic affairs minister Maria van der Hoeven and a delegation of top Dutch business representatives from companies such as ABN Amro, KLM-Air France, Philips, Shell and Unilever.
The Turkish prime minister said Turkey has done much to improve its business climate. And from the Dutch side, Van der Hoeven said she wants the number of Dutch companies active in Turkey to double to 8,000 by the end of next year.
The Netherlands is the third biggest foreign investor on the Turkish property market after Germany and Britain.
The queen, crown prince Willem-Alexander and princess Maxima are currently on a four-day visit to Turkey. Queen Beatrix has invited the Turkish president Ahmet Sezer and his wife to join them for dinner this evening in Istanbul.