WILLEMSTAD – Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas has raised serious objections to a Dutch proposal to extend reform cooperation with Curaçao for another two years, arguing that the Netherlands is largely ignoring the priorities established by his government. Of the 41 reform projects submitted by Curaçao, only four are fully or partially reflected in the Dutch offer.
In a letter to the Curaçao Parliament dated October 21, Pisas questioned whether the proposed extension of the Mutual Arrangement for Cooperation on Reforms adequately reflects Curaçao's development needs and its responsibility for determining its own reform agenda.
The Netherlands has proposed extending the agreement, which expires on April 4, 2027, until April 1, 2029. Dutch State Secretary for the Interior and Kingdom Relations Eric van der Burg has reserved EUR 8 million, equivalent to approximately XCG 16 million, to support the continuation of selected reforms.
However, Pisas considers the proposal too limited in scope.
On June 10, the Curaçao government submitted a list of 41 reform projects covering nearly all ministries. The proposals addressed economic development, social security, education, healthcare, digitalization, and improvements in public administration.
The Dutch proposal instead concentrates on four areas: modernization of the Tax Department, improvements in public financial management, education reforms, and digital signatures and payment systems.
According to the government's assessment, only four of Curaçao's 41 priority projects are included, either fully or partially.
The prime minister argues that this approach raises fundamental questions about who determines the direction of Curaçao's reform agenda.
Pisas maintains that the Curaçao government must retain responsibility for identifying the reforms most urgently needed by the country. In his view, Dutch financial and technical assistance should support those priorities rather than establish a largely predetermined selection of projects.
The disagreement comes as both governments consider the future of the Landspakket, the reform package introduced following the financial assistance arrangements associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The October 21 letter was submitted in preparation for parliamentary discussions on the future of the reform program.
It outlines the reforms undertaken since 2022, the use of Dutch financial assistance, and the implications of extending or terminating the existing cooperation agreement.
Pisas has asked Parliament to examine the proposed extension and the conditions attached to it before the government makes a final decision.
The Netherlands has given Curaçao until November 30 to respond.
The outcome will determine whether the two countries continue their current reform cooperation framework through April 2029 or whether Curaçao adopts a different approach to completing its remaining reforms.