WILLEMSTAD - After four years, Erwin Arkenbout's period as Representative of the Netherlands comes to an end. Arkenbout says goodbye to the islands with mixed feelings, he tells the Dutch news site NU.cw.
The representative recently visited Aruba and Sint Maarten and said goodbye to the Prime Ministers, Presidents of Parliaments, governors and other persons with whom he has worked closely over the past four years. He was accompanied by the Deputy Representatives of the Netherlands in Aruba and Sint Maarten.
On Wednesday, Arkenbout said goodbye to Curaçao. "It's hard to leave because I feel like there's still so much to do here," the representative said. “I am not going back to the Netherlands, but I am leaving Curaçao.”
Arkenbout mentions several highlights during his period in Curaçao, including setting up food aid with the Red Cross during the pandemic. “In addition, I have made an attempt together with the team to keep connections open and to maintain relationships,” says Arkenbout. “We've tried to show that we're willing to talk and listen. I hope that we have instilled confidence and that we can continue to build on that.”
Arkenbout states that the population of Curaçao has shrunk considerably in recent years, but emphasizes that it is important not to give up. “About 10,000 people have left the island. I find that very disturbing, the island should grow," says Arkenbout. "Maybe it's because people have lost a bit of confidence. In order to regain trust, we as the Netherlands also have a great responsibility.”
In the Netherlands, Arkenbout will hold a legal position for the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. The selection procedure for his successor as Representative of the Netherlands is still ongoing.