THE HAGUE – Eric van der Burg has officially been sworn in as State Secretary for the Interior and Kingdom Relations. His first day in office was marked by the formal transfer of responsibilities, introductory meetings and immediate consultations with the governors of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba.
Van den Burg during a visit to Curaçao in 2022
Following his swearing-in, Van der Burg emphasized the shared nature of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which includes Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, Saba, Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten. According to him, these countries and special municipalities together make the Kingdom far more than a small country on the North Sea.
“Together we work on a pleasant society and a strong economy, on both sides of the ocean,” Van der Burg said. He stressed that citizens throughout the Kingdom must be able to rely on a government that listens and delivers. In his view, public administration should be simple, workable and predictable.
Van der Burg stated that building a decisive and reliable government will be a key focus during his tenure. He added that he looks forward to working closely with partners across the Kingdom to strengthen cooperation and address shared challenges.
With his appointment, a new phase begins in Kingdom relations, with Van der Burg positioning himself as an advocate for effective governance and collaboration between the European and Caribbean parts of the Kingdom.