THE HAGUE - While the governments of Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten (CAS) continue to resist the conditions for the refinancing of their COVID-19 loans (1.1 billion euros), the Dutch House of Representatives and Senate are doing everything in their power to prevent the countries from running out of funds on October 10.
Today, the Dutch House of Representatives Committee for Kingdom Relations is holding legislative consultations with State Secretary Van Huffelen on the budget amendment necessary to refinance the loans. The intention is for the House of Representatives to vote on it no later than next week. In the meantime, the Dutch Senate is also preparing. They have already cleared their agenda to give the green light on September 26. This is just in time to announce the Royal Decree.
The parliamentary process has been delayed due to a lack of urgency from the Caribbean countries. They have stalled the negotiations that began in February regarding the refinancing. As time is running out, Van Huffelen unilaterally made an offer two weeks ago, but the countries are resisting. Without an agreement, they must formally repay their loans on October 10.