THE HAGUE - Is Curaçao missing out on tens and perhaps hundreds of millions because the Kingdom of the Netherlands cedes a piece of ocean of 35 square kilometers to the Dominican Republic?  

Members of Parliament Charetti America, Sheldry Osepa and Amerigo Thodé argued yesterday as special delegates in the Dutch House of Representatives debate on the Treaty between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Dominican Republic that Curaçao may be missing out on a treasure of oil or gas as a result. That fear was a reason for the parliament to request a plenary debate where treaties are usually dismissed as a formality.  

The trio was delegated by the Curaçao Parliament to represent the interests of Curaçao and to plead with Minister of Foreign Affairs Hoekstra for a postponement. First, they believe, it must be investigated whether the bottom of the sea to be given up contains valuable raw materials. The trio also regretted that the Parliament of Curaçao was insufficiently involved in the establishment of the treaty.  

According to Hoekstra, there is no question of giving up anything: the Kingdom has never laid claim to the relevant piece of ocean. The Curaçao parliamentarians were satisfied with that explanation. As far as the democratic deficit is concerned, the Rutte cabinet is working on a proposal on how to reduce this. Hoekstra offered the Members of Parliament to discuss this with them when he is in Willemstad in four weeks.