The Dutch finance minister has pulled out of a major investment conference in Saudi Arabia over the "very serious" disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the government said Thursday.
Wopke Hoekstra's withdrawal from the October 23-25 Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh -- dubbed the "Davos in the Desert" -- follows that of French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire and IMF chief Christine Lagarde.
The Netherlands announced it was also cancelling a planned trade mission visit to Saudi Arabia in December.
"The disappearance of #Khashoggi is a very serious matter. Saudi Arabia has not yet been able to provide any clarification," Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok said as he announced the decision on Twitter.
"That is why we decided @WBHoekstra will not travel to Riyadh today. The Netherlands stands for press freedom, worldwide."
Blok, in a letter to the Dutch parliament, later added that the decision was taken after direct talks with Le Maire.
The Netherlands will now in "close discussions with the EU and other like-minded partners look at ways international concerns about Khashoggi could be addressed," Blok said.
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"A great responsibility rests on the Saudi authorities to give clarity over Mr Khashoggi's whereabouts," the minister said.
"Every disappearance -- or worse, murder -- is repulsive but where it involves a journalist it's extra shocking for legal order and freedom of speech, because journalists have a special role in our society," he added.
An array of policy-makers and corporate chiefs have already pulled out of next week's conference in Saudi Arabia, risking the loss of lucrative business with the kingdom.
Khashoggi, who was living in self-imposed exile in the United States where he contributed to the Washington Post, vanished after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2.
He was critical of some of Saudi Arabia's policies.
Turkish officials claim he was killed and dismembered in the consulate by a hit squad that arrived from Riyadh -- claims denied by the Saudi government.
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