THE HAGUE - State Secretary Alexandra van Huffelen of Kingdom Relations will make a working visit to Sint Maarten, Curaçao, and Bonaire from September 30th to October 5th.
The visit is largely focused on the commemorative year of the slavery past. She will participate in a Catshuis session with representatives from all six islands on Sint Maarten and will be in Curaçao for the rehabilitation of Tula. In addition, the state secretary will hold administrative discussions in Bonaire about the laws that govern the administrative and financial relationships between European Netherlands and Caribbean Netherlands, the WolBES/FinBES.
Sint Maarten
State Secretary Van Huffelen's working visit begins on Saturday, September 30th, in Sint Maarten, where she will meet with Prime Minister Jacobs. On October 1st and 2nd, the Catshuis session will take place, during which the minister will engage in discussions with representatives from Curaçao, Aruba, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius regarding the impact of the slavery past and how the commemorative year of the slavery past is being observed. A special part of this meeting is a breakout session with the youth parliament of Sint Maarten.
Curaçao
In the evening of October 2nd, State Secretary Van Huffelen will travel to Curaçao. On October 3rd, she will have discussions with the Women of Curaçao about the impact of the slavery past, among other topics. That day also includes meetings with Prime Minister Pisas and the Governor, and the evening will be dedicated to the rehabilitation of Tula, who led the major slave uprising on Curaçao in 1795.
During her visit to Curaçao, there will also be a visit to Swaen Village, a meeting with organizations supporting the LGBTQI community on Curaçao, discussions with economics students from the University of Curaçao, and a mini-conference with civil society organizations on the agenda.
Bonaire
During her visit to Bonaire on October 5th, the state secretary will engage in administrative discussions about the laws governing the administrative and financial relationships between European Netherlands and Caribbean Netherlands, known as WolBES/FinBES. In this context, she will meet with the WolBES/FinBES working group, the Executive Council, and the Island Council.
On Thursday, October 5th, State Secretary Van Huffelen will return to the Netherlands.
