THE HAGUE – Despite repeated calls for improved cooperation within the Dutch Kingdom, concrete joint action remains limited, raising concerns about the effectiveness of existing structures.
This is one of the key conclusions emerging from the Council of State’s annual report, which points to a gap between ambitions for cooperation and actual results. Although an advisory report marking 70 years of the Kingdom Charter urged more pragmatic and collaborative relations, a unified response from the Kingdom government has yet to materialize.
The advisory report, published in October 2024, was generally well received across the Kingdom, including in Curaçao. However, the absence of a joint follow-up position from the Council of Ministers in 2025 suggests that translating recommendations into action remains a challenge.
For Curaçao, this delay has broader implications. The island continues to face structural challenges in areas such as economic development, governance, and social policy—issues that often require coordinated approaches within the Kingdom.
The Council of State has positioned itself as an “honest broker” between the different countries, aiming to facilitate dialogue and promote better cooperation. It maintains close contact with governments, institutions, and civil society across both the European Netherlands and the Caribbean islands.
During the past year, several delegations from the Caribbean, including representatives from Curaçao, engaged with the Council of State in discussions aimed at improving relations and addressing shared concerns. These exchanges highlight a willingness to collaborate, but also underline the need for more concrete outcomes.
Vice-President Thom de Graaf emphasized that the Kingdom has the potential to function more effectively if countries move beyond disputes over authority and focus on practical cooperation. According to him, citizens in Curaçao and other Caribbean countries benefit most when governments work together, share knowledge, and address challenges collectively—even when this requires additional resources.
As debates over autonomy and cooperation continue, the report suggests that the Kingdom faces a critical moment. For Curaçao, the key question is whether political will can be translated into tangible cooperation that delivers real improvements for its population.