The Netherlands has succeeded in obtaining a seat at the negotiating table of the G20 summit to be held in Washington on Saturday.

"Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende will take part in the G20 Summit in Washington, hosted by President George W. Bush," the Dutch government said in a statement on Thursday.

His participation comes at the request of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the current holder of the European Union presidency, the statement said.

The G20 -- the G8 members and the leading emerging economies --will discuss solutions to the financial crisis, including possible reforms to the international financial architecture.

The Netherlands is the world's 16th biggest economy but would not normally be present at G20 summit. However, the country had been eager to get a place at the negotiation table saying it has a substantial financial sector.

(Xinhua News Agency November 14, 2008)