Saudi Arabia: Sticker spat with Netherlands

The Netherlands government is trying to soothe tensions with Saudi Arabia after it emerged that the kingdom was considering taking steps to limit Dutch trade because of an offensive sticker campaign mounted by far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders in December. The Dutch foreign ministry confirmed on 17 May that Riyadh was considering moves to exclude Dutch companies from Saudi projects, and changing visa requirements. The Dutch government says it has not had any formal notification of economic sanctions being put in place, but, according to Saudi media, the Council of Saudi Chambers recently said it had received an order banning Dutch firms from taking part in future projects in the kingdom, and reducing the number of visas given to Dutch nationals.