The Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende will visit Seoul from Apr. 28 to 29 at the invitation of Korean President Lee Myung-bak, according to Cheong Wa Dae.

During the Korea-Netherlands summit and the following luncheon meeting on Apr. 28, President Lee and Prime Minister Balkenende will discuss plans for the advancement of mutual trade and investment, cooperation in the fields of recyclable energy development, environment-friendly growth and Korea-EU collaboration, the presidential office said.

They will also exchange opinions on regional matters including security on the Korean Peninsula, the global financial crisis, climate change and the rehabilitation of war-torn Afghanistan.

During his Seoul visit, Prime Minister Balkenende will attend a round table meeting with businessmen, receive an honorary doctorate degree from Yonsei University, and visit the inter-Korean demilitarized zone, the shipyard of Samsung Heavy Industries and the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan, according to the office.

Among the Dutch delegation accompanying the Prime Minister are ten CEOs of Dutch companies, including Royal Dutch Shell, ING and KLM.

The presidential office said that the Dutch Prime Minister''s first visit to Korea since his inauguration in 2002 would further bolster the diplomatic relationship between the two countries, which marks its 50th anniversary in 2011, and help expand bilateral cooperation in many sectors.