A survey conducted by Radio Netherlands shows that a vast majority of Dutch expats want service to be the top priority of Dutch embassies.

Close to 90 percent thought development aid and monitoring countries were less important. Nearly 1,000 expats living in 105 countries participated in the survey. The results were published on the same day that Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen informed Parliament that the budget for embassy staff will be cut by 10 percent. The cuts will result in less consular assistance and fewer visits to prisoners abroad. As a result, embassies are also likely to stop helping repatriate Dutch nationals. Two thirds of those interviewed are keen to receive such help.