THE HAGUE - As head of the delegation of the Government of Curaçao in the Netherlands, Prime Minister Rhuggenaath looks back with satisfaction at the meeting that took place yesterday with a delegation from the Council of State.
Immediately after the Curaçao delegation arrived in the Netherlands late in the morning, they sat down with the vice-president and member of the Council of State, mr. Thom de Graaf and mr. Paul Comenencia, together with their adviser, mr. Ron van der Veer.
In addition to Prime Minister Rhuggenaath, Minister Suzanne Camelia-Römer, Minister Kenneth Gijsbertha, Plenipotentiary Minister Anthony Begina and Senior General Legal Affairs Officer, mr. Henco Cecilia, were also present.
Understanding
In a response immediately after the meeting, Prime Minister Rhuggenaath said that the Government of Curaçao appreciates that it has had the opportunity to exchange ideas with the delegation of the Council of State and certainly with Vice-President Thom de Graaf. Rhuggenaath: “Thom de Graaf is very involved with the countries of the Kingdom and certainly with Curaçao. He understands the context in which we must govern, our challenges in relation to relations in the Kingdom and the constitutional part."
Furthermore, Prime Minister Rhuggenaath indicated that he appreciates that the Council of State has always clearly stated its position for the welfare of the Kingdom at crucial moments and, where necessary, corrected incorrect interpretations. There was an exchange of views on issues such as the appointment and the dispute settlement, but according to the Prime Minister, the Council of State currently has no role in the issue of appointment.
Role
He added that if Curaçao receives a budgetary instruction and decides to appeal, the Council of State will be given a formal role to advise on the matter concerning the instruction. Rhuggenaath: "We have not discussed anything yet since it is not applicable now."