THE HAGUE – Dutch MP Annabel Nanninga of the JA21 party has raised sharp questions about financial oversight, regional security, and governance during the parliamentary debate on the Kingdom Relations budget and the BES Fund.
Speaking nearly 15 years after the constitutional reform that dissolved the former Netherlands Antilles, Nanninga acknowledged that progress has been made within the Kingdom. However, she stressed that several structural problems have persisted, particularly in the area of public financial management on some Caribbean islands.
Nanninga pointed out that annual accounts are still submitted late in some cases and that supervisory bodies have repeatedly flagged weaknesses in financial control and execution. Despite this, she said, meaningful reforms remain absent on certain islands. She also highlighted the growing loan exposure of the Netherlands to Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, arguing that the current budget provides insufficient clarity on how repayments, interest costs, and refinancing are developing. She called on the State Secretary to provide further explanation.
Questions Over Slavery Funds Oversight
Turning to the allocation of funds related to the slavery past, Nanninga questioned the accountability mechanisms surrounding the €66.6 million earmarked for the Caribbean islands. The funds are intended for memorials, awareness programs, and other initiatives aimed at addressing intergenerational trauma and social challenges linked to slavery.
While acknowledging the sensitivity of the issue, Nanninga argued that given the fragile financial situation of some islands, strict oversight is essential. She questioned how the Dutch government intends to monitor the spending of these funds and how it can ensure that the money actually reaches the intended projects.
Aviation Safety and Military Capacity
Nanninga also addressed recent near-collisions between civilian aircraft and military planes over Curaçao, warning of the potentially catastrophic consequences if such incidents were to escalate. She asked what steps the State Secretary intends to take to prevent similar situations in the future and how the government views Curaçao’s request for additional military radar and sensor capacity.
“If something goes wrong, it goes very wrong,” she said, stressing the urgency of preventive measures.
Cybersecurity and Information Sharing
The JA21 MP linked physical safety directly to digital security, citing warnings from the National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV) about the vulnerability of digital systems in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. She noted that cyberattacks have already occurred in 2025 and pressed the State Secretary on what actions are being taken to restore and strengthen cybersecurity.
Nanninga further relayed concerns from Caribbean delegations about inadequate information-sharing on threats, geopolitical tensions, and defense matters. She argued that island governments should have better access to relevant security information, provided this can be done confidentially—something she said depends on robust cybersecurity systems.
Migration and Connectivity Challenges
In addition, Nanninga raised the issue of potential refugee flows from Venezuela, noting that migration pressures are already being felt in the region. She questioned whether there is an integrated policy in place, whether the scale of potential inflows is well understood, and whether adequate preparations have been made.
She concluded with concerns about accessibility and connectivity, particularly for Saba, where airfares have reportedly surged. While acknowledging the complexities of subsidizing commercial airlines or ferry services, Nanninga asked how the government plans to ensure that essential transport links—both flights and ferries—remain affordable and accessible for island residents.
The State Secretary is expected to respond to the concerns during the continuation of the budget debate.