Writing ahead of Dutch Queen Beatrix's planned visit to Türkiye, columnist Cuneyt Ulsever examines how the Netherlands perceives Türkiye, arguing that most Dutch people form their opinions through the roughly 400,000 Turkish-origin residents living there.
The Netherlands, a country of 16 million, already feels its political weight diluted within the EU by larger member states like Germany and France. Türkiye's potential membership raises additional concerns about shrinking Dutch influence. A nationalist streak has also grown in the country, with far-right parties winning nine parliamentary seats in the most recent elections, reflecting Islamophobic sentiment estimated at around 6 to 7 percent of the population.
The Turkish community in the Netherlands presents two contrasting images. On one side are figures like cabinet minister Nebahat Albayrak and Rotterdam vice mayor Orhan Kaya, who are widely respected and seen as fully engaged in Dutch civic life. On the other are Turkish residents in cities like The Hague who, after four decades, have resisted learning Dutch or integrating into broader society.
Ulsever notes that even visiting Turks find this insularity surprising. When Dutch citizens are asked whether they support Türkiye's EU membership, their answer often depends on which version of Türkiye they have in mind.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in February 2007, in its own words.