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| (Photo: Keukenhof) |
A famous
Dutch flower garden is receiving messages of gratitude from Poland, while at
the same time the Central European country is angry with the Dutch government.
The reason
for the anger is that the Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, doesn't want to
take any action against the website set up by the Freedom Party (PVV) on which
Dutch citizens may register their complaints about migrants from Poland and
other Central European countries. The reason is that his minority coalition
depends on support from the PVV to get its policies approved in parliament.
Coincidentally
'Poland, the Heart of Europe' is this year's central theme of the Keukenhof,
the internationally-renowned annual flower show in the Dutch town of Lisse. Wim
van Meerfield of the Keukenhof says: "The Netherlands has much reason to
thank the tens of thousands of Polish migrant workers who work especially in
the flower sector. We chose the theme two years ago, because Poland is a very
important trading partner for flowers and bulbs. It's our seventh-largest
export market. "
Immediately
after the commotion around the website broke out, the Keukenhof received strong
support from Poland, because this tourist attraction shows the country and its
people in a positive way. Mr Van Meerfield says "You mustn't underestimate
the Poles. They really do appreciate that the website only represents a
minority opinion, and that there is a different view that we, amongst others,
are presenting. We don't expect them to stay away. "
According
to the Polish-Dutch Chamber of Commerce the "Poland Hotline" of the
PVV is harming the image of Dutch companies in Poland. There's even talk
of a boycott of Dutch products.
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