Dutch diplomatic mission largely unaffected by cutbacks: FD
The impact of planned government cuts on the Dutch diplomatic service has been limited, the Financieele Dagblad reports on Monday.
Not only has unofficial coalition partner D66 won a €20m reprieve for the diplomatic budget but the sale of the Dutch embassy building in London is expected to generate €185m for the foreign ministry, the Financieele Dagblad says.
In addition, companies are to be asked to pay for some consular services to generate extra cash. Trials are already under way in France, Brazil and Germany.
Impact
When the cuts were first announced two years ago, officials said they would have an ‘enormous’ impact. Ten embassies have been closed in cities such as Lusaka in Zambia and in Barcelona.
However, three others have opened – in Panana, Chongqing (China) and Erbil (Kurdish Iraq). Plans to shut consulates in Antwerp, Chicago, Milan, Munich and Osaka have also been shelved.
The Netherlands now has 108 embassies, 24 consulates and 10 permanent representatives.
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