The Hague  - Afghan President Hamid Karzai arrived in the Netherlands on Monday for talks with Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende and other members of his government.

Discussions are expected to centre on increased economic cooperation and the role of Dutch troops deployed in the troubled Afghan province Uruzgan.

There are around 1,600 Dutch troops serving with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The Dutch public is divided about the deployment, which is expected to end in two years.

The Netherlands has pledged 210 million euros (325 million dollars) in aid to Afghanistan for the coming two years. (dpa)