ORANJESTAD – Aruba and the Netherlands have discussed expanding cooperation in economic development, investment, education and several major projects, including the redevelopment of the former refinery site and continued cooperation under the Landspakket reform program.
Prime Minister Mike Eman and Minister of Kingdom Relations Gerlien Croes met with Dutch State Secretary for Kingdom Relations Eric van der Burg at the Bestuurskantoor, where the officials reviewed existing cooperation and opportunities for new initiatives between Aruba and the Netherlands.
One of the main topics was the future of the Landspakket. Eman said Aruba has had positive experiences with the program and that his government wants the cooperation to continue. He also expressed appreciation for Van der Burg's support in that process.
The Landspakket was established as part of agreements between the Netherlands and the Caribbean countries of the Kingdom and contains reforms intended to strengthen areas including public finances, economic resilience and government administration.
Another major issue discussed was the future of Aruba's former refinery property. The Netherlands is providing technical assistance as Aruba prepares for the cleanup of the site, explores possibilities on the international market and works toward a future public tender for new economic activities in the area.
The discussions indicate that the government sees the former refinery property not only as an environmental and cleanup challenge but also as an area with potential for future economic development.
Eman and Van der Burg also discussed possibilities for attracting more investment from Dutch institutions and companies to Aruba. The prime minister cited the presence of Wageningen University & Research on the island as an example of cooperation that could be expanded.
The Aruban government intends to continue discussions on investment and cooperation during a visit to the Netherlands next week.
Waste management was another subject on the agenda. The two sides discussed possible cooperation with Dutch company HVC, as Aruba looks at ways to improve the handling and processing of waste.
European funding was also discussed, particularly the possibilities offered by various European funds to finance development projects in Aruba.
Education received attention during the meeting as well. The officials discussed challenges facing Aruba's education sector and the potential for greater cooperation with the Netherlands.
Van der Burg emphasized what he described as the importance of strengthening the concept of "one Kingdom," in which the four countries — Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and the Netherlands — work together to create opportunities and reinforce one another.
The discussion comes as Van der Burg has publicly called for a reconsideration of how relations within the Kingdom are organized. During a recent debate in the Dutch Parliament, the state secretary said his long-term ambition is for a separate Kingdom Relations portfolio to eventually become unnecessary, with the autonomous Caribbean countries increasingly approached as equal partners within the Kingdom.
The upcoming Kingdom Summit in Sint Maarten in November was also discussed. Representatives of the four countries are expected to meet there to address matters of common interest and further cooperation within the Kingdom.
Both Eman and Van der Burg described the meeting in Oranjestad as constructive, with the discussions focused on turning cooperation between Aruba and the Netherlands into concrete economic, educational and development opportunities.