The coalition Labour Party and opposition conservative VVD both say the Netherlands should cut back its diplomatic posts overseas. The Netherlands currently has 112 embassies and 345 consulates, far more than other comparable countries. The move would have the backing of a majority of MPs.

Christian Democrat Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen told Radio Netherlands Worldwide, “It’s easier said than done. But I don’t exclude the closure of an embassy.” Explaining the Foreign Affairs budget for 2010, Mr Verhagen said it would not be possible to shut down embassies in the EU before 2014.

With 20 percent government budget cutbacks planned across the board for 2010 in the wake of the financial and economic crisis, the Foreign Ministry also has to make drastic savings.

The Labour Party points out that Belgium has 30 fewer diplomatic posts, while Sweden has 64 fewer. The Labour Party would like to make savings through EU cooperation on posts in countries such as Malta and Cyprus, the Baltic states, the Caucasus or Ukraine.

The VVD on the other hands would prefer to see fewer and smaller posts, particularly in Africa. At the same time they say more diplomatic representation is needed in up-and-coming Asian countries.