WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao’s Parliament is expected to be asked to consider whether the country should continue its reform cooperation agreement with the Netherlands after the current arrangement expires in March 2027.
The government disclosed the next steps during Governor Mauritsz de Kort’s speech opening the 2026–2027 parliamentary year.
The Mutual Arrangement for Cooperation on Reforms between the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten is scheduled to end in March 2027. The Dutch government is expected to communicate its decision to Curaçao regarding continued support for the Landspakket reform program after that date.
Once the Netherlands communicates its position, the Curaçao government intends to approach Parliament with a request to deliberate and decide on an extension of the mutual arrangement.
The announcement means the future of the reform framework will return to the political agenda in the coming months as Curaçao determines what form its cooperation with the Netherlands should take after March.
The government placed the issue within a broader strategy of using Kingdom, regional and international cooperation to strengthen Curaçao’s own capacity rather than create long-term dependence.
According to the government, cooperation with Aruba, Bonaire, other Kingdom partners and the Caribbean Civil Protection Mechanism can improve Curaçao’s ability to respond to emergencies by providing access to personnel, equipment, expertise and assistance.
Kingdom and international cooperation will also remain important in combating drug trafficking, human trafficking, financial crime and cybercrime. The government intends to strengthen information sharing and border surveillance as part of those efforts.
At the same time, Curaçao wants to use its international relationships to expand its economic position. Following its achievement of associate membership in CARICOM, the government says it will continue pursuing independent membership in the World Trade Organization. Economic missions to Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean are also planned to create opportunities for local businesses.
For 2027, the government plans to establish a dedicated CARICOM department and improve coordination of Curaçao’s relations with the European Union.
The government also emphasized that technical assistance received from abroad should increasingly be used to build expertise within Curaçao itself. This includes developing local financial, legal, economic, customs and financial-integrity expertise so knowledge remains within national institutions.
The government summarized its position by stating that cooperation should not mean dependence. Instead, external partnerships should help Curaçao strengthen its institutions and eventually increase its ability to operate independently and defend its interests within the Kingdom, the Caribbean and internationally.