WILLEMSTAD - A meeting of the Reich Council of Ministers took place about the conditions of the loan for the second tranche. According to Prime Minister Eugene Rhuggenaath, it is appropriate that he highlights his government’s side of the story and how they gave substance to the outcome of this meeting. The conditions for the second tranche of the loan from the Netherlands to Curaçao and also to Sint Maarten were on the table.

“Our interpretation is that the outcome of the meeting is in favor of Curaçao. A lot has been achieved because we have more time and space to negotiate with the Netherlands. We have not yet met all requirements, but we have been given more time until September 1. Be aware that we are already negotiating and in talks with the Netherlands and have made various counter-proposals regarding the Kingdom Act and also the financial package, which contains the reforms that the Netherlands wants to implement. But we have not yet reached a consensus on this.”

The Prime Minister says that he is satisfied with the time to continue negotiating. “We only get out of this when we sit around the table together. This has been going on since July 10th and will continue until we arrive at the best solution for Curaçao,” said Rhuggenaath. Last Tuesday, August 11, the CFT gave its advice to the Council of Ministers about what is still open to the conditions of the second tranche. In their advice, they broadly concluded that Curaçao has met all the conditions. What is still missing, however, is the definition in draft laws that Parliament must approve.

“That is why Curaçao has received until September 1. We know that this is tight, because when it comes to laws, it is a process of advice from, for example, the Advisory Council, SER and consideration in Parliament. That certainly takes time, but we commit ourselves to achieve this new goal. What has already been achieved is thanks to our own hard work, taking into account our reality. Supported by our experts, we have worked hard to get to the current point.”

The Prime Minister concluded by saying that the well-being of the people remains his most important motivation. “Step by step and with determination, we continue to move forward on this path to transcend everything we face, together.”