THE HAGUE – Good cooperation between Curaçao, Aruba, Sint Maarten and the Netherlands is of “inestimable value,” according to Dutch State Secretary for Kingdom Relations Eric van der Burg, who says strengthening cooperation should remain central to the future of the Kingdom.
Van der Burg made the statement in response to the agreements reached during the latest Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO), which brings together parliamentarians from the four countries of the Kingdom. He addressed the agreements in a letter sent to the Dutch Parliament.
Cooperation within the Kingdom was one of the central themes of the latest IPKO. Van der Burg noted that the subject has also featured prominently in recent discussions and reports about the constitutional relationship between the four countries.
The Council of State of the Kingdom previously addressed the importance of cooperation in an unsolicited advisory report issued in connection with the 70th anniversary of the Charter for the Kingdom.
Curaçao, Aruba, Sint Maarten and the Netherlands are preparing a joint response to that advice. Van der Burg said he hopes the importance of strong cooperation will also be reflected in that response.
At the same time, efforts are continuing to address what is commonly described as the democratic deficit within the Kingdom.
Van der Burg said he held an informal discussion with the expert group studying the democratic deficit. Several ideas for eliminating or reducing the imbalance were discussed, although the group has not yet issued its final report.
Another initiative being considered is the revival of the Kingdom Conference, a forum bringing together the prime ministers of Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten with the Dutch state secretary responsible for Kingdom Relations.
Unlike IPKO, which centers on parliamentary cooperation, the Kingdom Conference provides the governments with an opportunity to discuss issues affecting the Kingdom collectively.
Van der Burg said the four countries themselves will jointly determine both the agenda and format of future meetings.
He has already discussed holding an initial meeting with the prime ministers of Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten. The intention is for the first gathering to take place in Sint Maarten in November.
Whether parliamentarians from the four countries will also have a role in the renewed Kingdom Conference remains under discussion.