Tuesday, October 22, 2013 - 05:19
Rutte Calls Putin
Prime Minister Mark Rutte has called on Monday, Russian president Vladimir Poetin to emphasize the good relationship between the two countries. During the conversation both sides have confirmed to each other that the recent incidents have to be solved, so the focus can be on the future, according to the RVD in a press communication. Both Rutte and Poetin have mentioned that they have the intention to finish the Netherlands-Russia year successfully.
The end of the Netherlands-Russia year will take place in Moscow on November 9. King Willem-Alexander and queen Maxima will attend a concert of the concert building orchestra. Rutte and Poetin have discussed the possibility of a meeting between the king and the Russian president. If this is going to happen is not yet clear.
Last Friday Rutte stated in his weekly press conference, that he would not like to use the king as a pawn in the game for solving the recent problems between Russia and the Netherlands.
In the House some MPs form PvdA, D66 and CDA were very quick, after the molestation of the Dutch diplomat in Moscow, to put the Russia-Netherlands year on-hold and to cancel the trip of the king on November 9.
According to PvdA MP Michiel Servaes, the House should have a debate, after the autumn recess, about the trip of the king. It now seems that the Prime Minister is not going to wait for the debate. Coalition partner of PvdA, VVD, has always been for continuation of the Russia-Netherlands year. The government seems to be determined to make the year of friendship between the two nations to a success.