The Netherlands and Turkey are due to sign an agreement today to strengthen ties between the two countries. The treaty will be signed in Wassenaar by foreign affairs ministers Maxime Verhagen and Ali Babacan.

At the same time, economic affairs minister Maria van der Hoeven will leave for a two day visit to Turkey to boost economic links. The talks will not only focus on Turkey’s entry into the EU but the country’s role in EU energy policy, reports news agency ANP.
‘Turkey shows that Islam and democracy can coexist,’ Verhagen was reported as saying. ‘The prospect of entry to the European Union is an important stimulant for the necessary reforms in Turkey in terms of democracy, justice and human rights,’ he said.