current turmoil with the Muslim community in the Netherlands. But the bilateral talks during the state visit were likely to leave contentious issues aside and focus on developing economic ties. Royal Dutch Shell has invested heavily in developing the gas fields around Sakhalin island, a project that has been plagued by cost overruns. In an interview with the Dutch media before his departure, Putin noted that trade ties with the Netherlands began with Czar Peter the Great more than 300 years ago and have developed despite the countries' difference in size. He said trade turnover between the two countries was US$16.6 billion (¤13.8 billion) last year, while Russia's trade with giant India was less than US$5 billion (¤4.2 billion). Putin also told Dutch reporters he will not seek a third term in 2008, but vowed not to allow "destabilization" in Russia following the vote.
