THE HAGUE, 01/11/05 - Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to the Netherlands today and tomorrow is an excellent opportunity for improving trade relations, the conservatives (VVD) consider. For Labour (PvdA), press freedom in Russia and human rights in Chechnya should be high on the agenda.

When Putin, with his wife Ludmila and a trio of ministers, sets foot on Dutch soil today, this will not be his first visit. Putin was in The Hague in November last year, when the Netherlands held the EU presidency. But it is the first official state visit by a Russian head of state since Tsar Peter the Great, three centuries earlier.

For PvdA MP Koenders, it is clear that Premier Jan Peter Balkenende must bring up concerns about restrictions on press freedom in Russia and Russian conduct in Chechnya "in unequivocal language." "There is a risk of Russia sliding back into an authoritarian state. Balkenende must name this pointedly; the Russians like clear language," according to Koeners.

VVD MP Van Baalen has a different wish-list. "First is that Balkenende must try to make agreements on continuing the gas pipeline that now runs from Russia to Germany. If this succeeds, the Netherlands can fulfil a crucial distribution function for the further distribution of Russian gas."

Economic Affairs Minister Laurens-Jan Brinkhorst will pursue the extension of the gas pipeline in a meeting with Putin at the official residence of Amsterdam Mayor Job Cohen. A number of large Dutch companies will also be represented there.

Koenders however considers that European dependence on Russian gas and oil, likely to grow in the coming decades, should not lead to human rights being put on the back burner. "We must not behave like German Chancellor Schroder. He reasons: We need gas, so we are close friends with Putin."

Van Baalen hopes Balkenende can go some way towards convincing Putin of the importance of sanctions against Iran. This in view of the Iranian nuclear programme, but especially after Iranian President Ahmadinejad said last week that Israel "must be wiped off the map."

Christian democratic (CDA) MP Ormel also refers to the economic interests that the Netherlands has as the second trading nation in Russia. Ormel also hopes that Russian and Dutch scientists will work together to combat bird flu, and that the Netherlands can help with clearing up nuclear waste from Russian submarines in the Arctic ocean.

Public broadcaster NOS will broadcast the arrival of Putin and his wife at Schiphol live on Nederland 2 from 12.55 p.m. Queen Beatrix, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Maxima will meet the couple there. A day later, NOS will broadcast the press conference to be held by the Russian president and Balkenende (11.30 a.m.-12.15 p.m.).