The Netherlands and Turkey restore diplomatic relations, Blok to visit Ankara

The Netherlands and Turkey have put their differences behind them and agreed to restore diplomatic relations, according to a joint statement published on Friday.

The relationship between the two countries has been soured since last March, when the Netherlands refused to allow two Turkish ministers to come to the Netherlands to campaign for a controversial referendum.

Talks on resuming diplomatic relations began in the margins of the Nato summit on July 11 and were followed by telephone conversations, the statement said.

Dutch foreign minister Stef Blok and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu refer in the document to the 400 years of friendly and economic ties between the two countries. In addition, they state that it is important to normalise relationships in light of tackling migration and combating terrorism.

Blok has also agreed to make an official visit to Turkey in the second half of this year.