Interests of Dutch citizens in Britain priority in Brexit talks: Dutch FM

The Dutch Cabinet wants quick clarity, primarily for Dutch citizens residing in Britain, said Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders on Wednesday after Britain officially delivered to the European Union (EU) a notification letter to leave the bloc.

More than 100,000 Dutch are living in the UK.

Calling for swift clarity for everyone involved, Koenders said: "the Dutch cabinet will firmly commit itself to defending the interests of Dutch citizens and companies."

Britain is one of the most important trading partners of the Netherlands, and within the EU the Dutch economy is among those most interwoven with the British economy.

At the same time, the minister called on all parties, including the British, to stay realistic.

"There is a lot at stake. For the UK, for the EU, and for our country. We will feel it, citizens and companies. I want to be clear about that," he said.

The Netherlands, together with EU member states, will now define the guidelines and the mandate for the negotiations. After that, the negotiations with the UK can really begin, said the Dutch foreign ministry in a statement.

"We want to separate in a proper way and properly regulate the requirements on both sides," said Koenders. "We must not compete each other into the ground." Endit