WILLEMSTAD – During the official visit of Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof to Curaçao, the island’s government placed strong emphasis on the refinancing of a bond loan issued by the Netherlands to Curaçao. Finance Minister Javier Silvania confirmed that a formal request has already been submitted to the State Secretary of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, while Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas urged Schoof to prioritize the matter at the highest level.
The talks began with a bilateral meeting between the two prime ministers, followed by a broader discussion with the full Council of Ministers of Curaçao, covering a range of current issues within the Curaçao–Netherlands partnership.
Visa Waiver for Dominican Nationals
Another major topic was Curaçao’s decision to abolish visa requirements for citizens of the Dominican Republic. While the local government has already made the decision, implementation falls under the jurisdiction of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Curaçao hopes the move will strengthen tourism, trade, and cultural ties with the Dominican Republic while remaining compliant with the broader Kingdom-wide visa policy.
Concern Over Dutch Flight Tax
The Curaçaoan government also expressed concern over the planned increase in the Dutch air passenger tax on long-haul flights. Officials warned that such a measure could discourage tourism from the European Netherlands, which represents a key market for the island’s hospitality sector.
Implementation of International Sanctions
The final key issue discussed was the implementation of international sanctions. Curaçao reiterated its commitment to enforcing UN and EU sanctions under the Kingdom Sanctions Act (Rijkssanctiewet). However, the government emphasized the need for consideration of the island’s economic and geopolitical context when applying such measures.
Delegations
The Dutch delegation included Prime Minister Dick Schoof, his advisor Joris Groen, and senior officials from the Ministries of General Affairs and Kingdom Relations. From the Curaçaoan side, Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas, all ministers, Minister Plenipotentiary Carlson Manuel, and National Reform Commission Chair Caryl Monte participated in the discussions.
The meeting was part of Schoof’s broader tour of the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom, aimed at strengthening ties and deepening cooperation with the islands.
