WILLEMSTAD – Dutch State Secretary for Kingdom Relations Eric van der Burg says he expects Curaçao and Sint Maarten to resolve their ongoing dispute over the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) without external intervention.
Speaking during his visit to Curaçao, Van der Burg addressed tensions between the two countries surrounding the functioning of the Supervisory Board of the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten. The disagreement, particularly over the appointment of the chairman, has led to increased friction and renewed debate about the future of the monetary union.
Despite the conflict, Van der Burg emphasized that the shared central bank itself is not under discussion. According to him, the arrangement of a joint central bank continues to function effectively and provides stability for both countries.
At the same time, he warned that any structural changes within the central banking system could have direct consequences for financial stability in Curaçao and Sint Maarten. The monetary union, he noted, offers important advantages, especially during periods of economic uncertainty or external shocks such as natural disasters.
Van der Burg also pointed out that moving away from the current system—whether by adopting separate currencies or linking to external currencies like the U.S. dollar or euro—could result in the loss of key policy tools for both countries.
Although tensions have escalated in recent weeks, the Dutch government does not intend to act as a mediator. Van der Burg made clear that he expects Curaçao and Sint Maarten to find a solution through bilateral discussions.