Queen Beatrix in Istanbul

As part of her visit to Turkey to mark the 400th anniversary of the foundation of diplomatic relations between Turkey and the Netherlands, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands yesterday traveled from Ankara to Istanbul, where she met with representatives of non-governmental organizations, businessmen and academics in a luncheon which was also attended by the Netherlands' Ambassador to Ankara Jan Paul Dirkse. Queen Beatrix also watched a performance of the Netherlands Dance Theater along with Culture and Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay and Istanbul’s Governor Huseyin Avni Mutlu. Afterwards, she attended a reception with President Abdullah Gul.