WILLEMSTAD - In a letter addressed to the Parliament of Curaçao in response to the Netherlands' proposal for liquidity support to Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten, the Government of Curaçao indicated that they cannot fully agree with the form proposed by the Netherlands for this and the associated conditions. The Government of Curaçao is aware of the need to take firm steps that require major sacrifices in the context of reform and reconstruction of the country. However, this must take place within a realistic framework in which Curaçao remains responsible for its own progress, but - in close consultation - can count on support from the Netherlands to achieve its goals. That is why the Government of Curaçao calls on Parliament to offer the necessary respite when negotiations with the Netherlands are continued.

The Netherlands' proposal includes a coherent package of proposals concerning amendments to the Kingdom Act, establishing an independent administrative body based on Dutch legislation for the restructuring and reconstruction of the country, a structured reform plan and also conditions for receiving the third tranche of financial support. In general, the Government of Curaçao understands and supports the basic principle of these proposals, but at the same time wishes to point out to the Netherlands the lack of clarity and various legal questions that these proposals entail. This certainly applies to the statutory relationship between the two countries in the Kingdom, legal certainty and a proper balance between authority and responsibility of the partners involved. If these are not clearly defined, our fundamental rights as an autonomous country within the Kingdom enshrined in our Statute may be threatened in their very existence.

It is a fact that now more than ever, due to the serious socio-economic situation resulting from the pandemic of COVID-19, Curaçao needs financial support and technical assistance from the Netherlands to bridge this difficult period we are facing. The Government of Curaçao was already on the right track to transformation in the context of the Growth Strategy it has implemented over the past 2 years and the Recovery and Reform Programs launched immediately after the coronavirus crisis. Since the Netherlands' proposals for reform plans largely correspond to the aforementioned strategy and plans, the Government of Curaçao is confident that the Netherlands and Curaçao will be able to reach a correct and solidarity agreement during consultations in the meeting of the Kingdom Council of Ministers scheduled for August 14.