ORANJESTAD – Eric van der Burg has called for stronger and more practical cooperation between the European Union and Caribbean territories, warning that current systems often fail to support smaller islands effectively.
Speaking at the OCT-EU Forum in Aruba, Van der Burg said that while overseas countries and territories are formally equal partners within the Kingdom and the EU framework, differences in size and capacity must be acknowledged.
According to the state secretary, smaller islands often struggle to access EU funding programs because they must compete with large European consortia that have significantly more resources and expertise.
“On paper, everyone is eligible. But in practice, it is much harder for smaller territories to benefit,” he said.
Van der Burg stressed that cooperation should move beyond formal eligibility and focus on practical support, including earlier involvement, technical assistance, and tailored approaches to ensure projects can succeed.
He emphasized that improving access to EU programs is essential for addressing challenges in areas such as energy, infrastructure, and economic development across the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom.