THE HAGUE – State Secretary for Kingdom Relations, Zsolt Szabó, is painting an overly optimistic picture of the governance quality in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. This was the pointed criticism from Dutch MP Aukje de Vries (VVD) during a committee debate on the CAS countries (Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten). De Vries called for a stronger approach to tackling “undermining crime, corruption, and cronyism” on the islands.
“What the state secretary is saying does not align with what we see happening. There are measures being taken, but the question is whether they are effective. The results are not good enough,” De Vries stated. She expressed dissatisfaction with Szabó’s promise to present a plan in March to monitor the quality of governance on the islands.
“Monitoring is all well and good, but I want to know what the state secretary plans to do about corruption and cronyism. Governance should serve the citizens, not the self-interest of those in power. I want better governance for the islands,” De Vries stressed.
Szabó Acknowledges Challenges
In response, Szabó acknowledged that there are significant problems. “Indeed, many things are not going well. I am in full consultation with organizations that can play a role in monitoring governance quality. I am having intensive discussions with the islands about this,” he explained.
Szabó also noted that he had spoken with two of the three Prime Ministers of the CAS countries, who were supportive of his approach.
Calls for Action Against Corruption
De Vries’s critique underscores a growing concern in the Dutch Parliament about the effectiveness of measures aimed at improving governance in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. Issues such as corruption, nepotism, and crime continue to hinder progress and erode public trust.
The MP emphasized the need for concrete actions rather than plans and monitoring alone. “Better governance is essential for ensuring that the islands thrive and that citizens receive the services they deserve,” she said.
Next Steps
Szabó is expected to present his governance monitoring plan in March, but questions remain about whether the proposed measures will address the deep-rooted issues. The debate highlights the complex relationship between the Netherlands and the Caribbean countries within the Kingdom, where autonomy and oversight must be carefully balanced.
As the March deadline approaches, MPs like De Vries will likely continue to push for decisive action to tackle corruption and improve governance across the CAS countries.