WILLEMSTAD – Representatives from across the Kingdom of the Netherlands met in Curaçao on October 1 and 2 for the first discussions on establishing a new European Union Platform aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s position in Brussels and improving access to opportunities offered by the EU.
Representatives from Aruba, Curaçao, the Netherlands, Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten participated in the meeting, which was organized by the Representation of the Netherlands in Willemstad.
The Caribbean parts of the Kingdom have the status of Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) in their relationship with the European Union. This status provides access to various forms of cooperation and European funding.
The proposed EU Platform is intended to help the Kingdom position itself more effectively in Brussels and make better use of opportunities available to the OCTs, particularly European funding programs.
According to information presented during the discussions, the EU increasingly considers its Overseas Countries and Territories strategically important as European outposts in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment. This development could create additional opportunities for the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom.
The discussions were based on respect for the autonomy of the individual countries and the separate relationship each OCT maintains with the European Commission.
The Permanent Representation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the European Union in Brussels also participated in the meeting. Its involvement is considered important in helping Kingdom partners identify opportunities in Brussels and better understand the European Commission’s evolving priorities.
Those priorities are increasingly influenced by geopolitical considerations, an area in which the Caribbean territories of the Kingdom could play a more significant role because of their geographic position.
Participants also discussed possible practical responsibilities for the new EU Platform. These could include jointly monitoring relevant calls for proposals under European funding programs, identifying training needs among the OCTs, and sharing expertise, information and networks.
The Kingdom partners will continue working together in the coming period to further develop the proposed platform and determine how cooperation can be structured.