As part of his ongoing consultations with close NATO allies, President Obama called Prime Minister Rutte of the Netherlands today to congratulate the Prime Minister on the formation of his Cabinet.  The leaders discussed the deep historical bond between our two countries and agreed on the centrality and vitality of the TransAtlantic link.  The President thanked the Prime Minister for the important Dutch contributions in Afghanistan, and they discussed the way forward.  The two leaders also discussed our ongoing counterterrorism efforts.  The President looks forward to seeing Prime Minister Rutte at the NATO Summit in Lisbon later this month.