Junior coalition government partner ChristenUnie wants the cabinet to reconsider sending two upcoming trade missions to Russia in light of the continuing crisis between Russia and Georgia, reports ANP news service.

CU MP Joël Voordewind is to bring up the issue in parliament today, says ANP. He points out that prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende has stated that it cannot be ‘business as usual’ unless Russia withdraws its troops from Georgia.
Agriculture minister Gerda Verburg was in Moscow on Tuesday, while the economic affairs and transport ministries both have trips to Russia on their agenda.