Updated

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai is visiting the Netherlands for two days of diplomatic talks with officials.

Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen says Karzai's visit is important because Afghanistan's safety is directly tied to Dutch security.

The Dutch have 1,650 soldiers in Afghanistan. Most of them serve in the NATO peacekeeping force in the south of the country.

Verhagen greeted the Afghan president at the airport in Rotterdam.

Karzai meets Monday with Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, and Tuesday with members of parliament and the Dutch queen.