THE HAGUE – The future of the Kingdom’s dispute settlement mechanism, the evaluation of the Country Packages (Landspakketten), the monetary union between Curaçao and Sint Maarten, and the legacy of slavery will be among the key issues discussed by Caribbean parliamentarians this week in the Netherlands.
Before the start of the Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO), delegations from Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten will hold a separate Tripartite Meeting on June 4 to coordinate positions and discuss matters of shared concern.
One of the most closely watched topics will be the evaluation of the Landspakket reforms, which have guided governance, financial, and economic reforms in the Caribbean countries since the COVID-19 pandemic. Parliamentarians are expected to discuss findings from an independent evaluation report.
Another major issue is the functioning of the monetary union between Curaçao and Sint Maarten and the role of the joint Central Bank. The subject comes at a time when discussions continue over the future leadership and governance of the Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS).
The delegations will also discuss the Kingdom dispute settlement arrangement, including proposed amendments prepared by the so-called Petit Comité.
In addition, parliamentarians are expected to address how the topic of slavery and its historical legacy should be discussed on a structural basis within future IPKO meetings. The issue has gained renewed international attention following recent debates at the United Nations and within the Kingdom.
The discussions are expected to help shape the Caribbean countries’ joint positions before formal consultations begin with their Dutch counterparts later in the week.