The history of Türkiye-Netherlands diplomatic relations dates back to the 17th century. In 1612, the first Dutch Ambassador, Cornelis Haga, was appointed to Istanbul. With the establishment of diplomatic relations, activities of Dutch merchants in the Ottoman Empire increased, and the Dutch Ambassadors, in co-operation with the British Ambassadors, mediated peace negotiations after the wars with Austria and Russia (for example, the Treaty of Karlowitz in 1699 and the Treaty of Passarowitz in 1718). The first permanent representative of the Ottoman Empire was Yahya Karaca Pasha, who was appointed as the Ambassador to the Hague in 1859.
The first agreement signed between both countries after the proclamation of the Republic is the “Treaty of Friendship” in 1924. Another important agreement with the Netherlands is the "Türkiye - Netherlands Labor Force Agreement" signed in 1964. The 400 th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Türkiye and the Netherlands was celebrated in 2012.
Various events were organized in both countries in 2024, marking the 100th anniversary of the Friendship Treaty as well as the 60th anniversary of the Labour Force Agreement.
"The Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening the Relations between Türkiye and the Netherlands and the Establishment of Türkiye - Netherlands Conference" was signed in 2008. In accordance with this, “Türkiye-Netherlands (Wittenburg) Conferences”, established as a consultation mechanism under the co-chairmanship of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, have been held alternately in both countries. The 10th meeting of the Wittenburg Conference, was held in the Netherlands on 16 April 2024.
President Erdoğan visited the Netherlands on the occasion of the NATO Summit held in the Hague on 25 June 2025 and held a meeting with Prime Minister Dick Schoof. Former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte paid an official visit to Türkiye on March 22, 2022 upon the invitation of President Erdoğan. He also paid a working visit to Istanbul on 26 April 2024, and met with President Erdoğan.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan paid a visit to the Netherlands on the occasion of the 10th Wittenburg Conference and held a meeting with the then Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruns-Slot. Foreign Minister Fidan was also received by the then-Prime Minister Mark Rutte on April 19, 2024.
Following the establishment of the new Government in the Netherlands on 23 February 2026, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Tom Berendsen paid a working visit to Ankara on 9 April 2026 and met with Minister Fidan.
Numerous high-level contacts are held at the margins of multilateral meetings and conferences.
The number of the people of Turkish origin living in the Netherlands is around 500 thousand. The Turkish community constitutes one of the most important aspects of our relations with the Netherlands.