QUEEN ARRIVES IN TURKEY FOR STATE VISIT (UPDATE)
DutchNews.nl, Netherlands
Feb 27 2007
Queen Beatrix began a four-day state visit to Turkey today on the
direct invitation of Turkish president Ahmet Sezer. The Netherlands
has a 350,000-strong Turkish community and there are strong links
between the two countries.
The queen, who is accompanied by crown prince Willem-Alexander and
princess Maxima, first laid a wreath at the mausoleum of Ataturk,
the founder of modern Turkey. This evening she will give a speech at
a gala dinner.
The Volkskrant says the queen will be confronted by two contentious
issues during her visit: the Armenian genocide question, which
has taken on political dimensions in the Netherlands, and Turkish
membership of the EU.
‘I hope the queen will find an opportunity not only to strengthen the
bonds of friendship but .. to encourage Turkey to continue introducing
democratic reforms and move ever closer to us in terms of freedom
and tolerance,’ transport minister Camiel Eurlings, who as an MEP was
responsible for monitoring Turkey’s progress, told Radio Netherlands.
VVD MP Hans van Baalen said the queen should not avoid difficult issues
such as the Armenian question. ‘It will make Turkey stronger,’ he said.
On Wednesday, the queen will host a concert by the Dutch Blazers
Ensemble at the private Bilkent university in Ankara. Sezer will
reportedly not attend because, as Turkey is a secular state, he does
not go to functions where women may wear headscarves.
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