THE HAGUE - According to Undersecretary Raymond Knops of Kingdom Relations, it is not in the interest of the people of Aruba for the government to borrow money on the international market.

Knops said this on Thursday during a virtual press conference with Aruban media.

Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes announced this week that the country can borrow more than 130 million Aruban florins on the international market. Aruba has no more money this month to pay all salaries and a new loan has been negotiated with the Netherlands for months.

However, Aruba does not agree with the conditions set by the Netherlands for a new loan, such as the establishment of a special entity that is set up by the Netherlands and must coordinate investments on the island and spending of the loan.

However, Knops on Thursday called the 'deal' of the Netherlands much more favorable for the Aruban population because The Hague charges zero percent interest and 5.5 percent must be paid on the international market.

Knops indicated that Wever-Croes had not given him any further details about the loan. The Aruban Prime Minister says that she will give more information about the loan to the Aruban population at a later date.