The Netherlands must do all it can to make sure that the Brexit talks have as little impact as possible on Dutch citizens and trade, according to two MPs charged with reporting on the likely effect on behalf of the Dutch parliament.

The report states that the rights of the 73,000 Dutch nationals living in Britain must be given ‘top priority’ in the negotiations, and ‘preferably be sorted out before the Brexit negotiations begin’. It was drawn up by Labour MP Marit Maij and Pieter Omtzigt of the Christian Democrats.

‘It is only right and fair that they are given certainty as soon as possible,’ and should not be used a bargaining chip, the report says. The report does not mention British nationals in the Netherlands.

In addition, efforts must be made to maintain the close free trade relationship between the Netherlands and Britain. Apart from Ireland, the Netherlands is the most economically dependent on Britain, the report said.

‘Every limit on free trade with Britain will hurt Dutch exports, prosperity and jobs,’ the report states. In particularly they single out fishing rights, and the fear that Dutch trawlers will lose access to valuable fishing grounds around Scotland.

EU chairman Donald Tusk has called a special Brexit summit on April 29 which will work out how the negotiations are to take place. British prime minister Theresa May is expected to start the process next week.

Read the report (Dutch only)