THE HAGUE, 28/03/07 - Premier Jan Peter Balkenende has promised his Flemish counterpart Yves Leterme that the Netherlands will give the green light as quickly as possible for deepening the Westerschelde. This is the access waterway for the port of Antwerp.

The Netherlands and Flanders have been wrangling for some time over implementation of the Schelde treaties. The Belgians are awaiting ratification by the Lower House in The Hague. The Flemish parliament has already ratified the treaties, which will make Antwerp accessible for larger ocean vessels.

Malicious tongues claim the Netherlands is in no hurry because competition for Rotterdam will increase. Balkenende has however told Leterme he will "do everything possible" to achieve speedy approval. Work should be able to start before 2008.