Netherlands opposes EU duties on Chinese solar panels: FM

BEIJING - The Netherlands is opposed to the European Union's (EU) decision to slap provisional anti-dumping duties on Chinese solar panels, Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Frans Timmermans said here on Tuesday.

Timmermans made the remarks during the talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing.

"The European Commission's decision to impose provisional duties on solar panels from China goes against the principle of free trade and the Netherlands is firmly opposed to it," said the visiting Dutch foreign minister, quoted by a news release from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

On Monday, Timmermans told reporters that the Dutch government, like the German government, truly believes that there should be no confrontation between the EU and China on the issue of solar panels.

"I think we should come and find a compromise here. We have been urging the European Commission to try carefully here. There are more things at stake than just one issue in the long-term relationship between the EU and China," he said on Monday shortly before his departure to China.

During Tuesday's talks, Wang said he appreciates the Dutch government's stance and hopes that the Netherlands will continue working for dialogue between the EU and China on the matter.

Timmermans also congratulated the Chinese side on the successful launch of the Shenzhou-X spacecraft on Tuesday, adding that the Netherlands is ready to boost cooperation with China in various areas, especially on sustainable development, to forge a future-oriented relationship between the two countries.

Hailing the smooth development of the bilateral ties in recent years, Wang said China looks forward to a more matured and stable relationship with the Netherlands based on mutual respect and win-win reciprocity, and new achievements of cooperation in urbanization, energy saving and environmental protection, new energy and other areas.

After the talks, the two foreign ministers exchanged diplomatic notes regarding the establishment of consulates in China's Chongqing and the Netherlands' Willemstad.