WILLEMSTAD – The Vice President of the Council of State of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Thom de Graaf, has called for renewed energy, creativity and concrete cooperation within the Kingdom, warning that political and administrative relations remain strained despite the strong foundations laid by the Statute of the Kingdom. The appeal was made during a keynote address delivered at the celebration of Kingdom Day 2025 at The Hague University of Applied Sciences on December 15.
In his speech, De Graaf praised the active role of students and educational institutions in keeping Kingdom relations alive, highlighting The Hague University of Applied Sciences as a growing center of expertise on Kingdom affairs through its academic programs, civil service training and cooperation with institutions such as the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations and the Council of State itself.
Reflecting on the current state of Kingdom relations, he noted that the hoped-for renewal following the 70th anniversary of the Statute in 2024 has yet to materialize. Instead, he described a period marked by political instability in the Netherlands, frequent changes in ministers responsible for Kingdom Relations and a lack of continuity in parliamentary oversight, all of which have contributed to stagnation rather than progress.
The Vice President emphasized that while much has been achieved within the Kingdom since 1954, including higher living standards in the Caribbean countries compared to the region and strong cooperation in areas such as security, justice and defense, persistent challenges remain. Issues such as poverty, education gaps, crime and social inequality continue to affect citizens across the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom, demanding closer and more effective collaboration between governments rather than jurisdictional disputes or political posturing.
He acknowledged that tensions are partly structural, given the imbalance in size and power between the Netherlands and the Caribbean countries, but stressed that deeper historical factors also play a role. The colonial past, including the legacy of slavery, still casts long shadows in the form of distrust, discrimination and unequal starting positions. According to the Vice President, this history cannot be ignored or reasoned away and must be addressed honestly as part of building more equal relations.
At the same time, he expressed cautious optimism, pointing to recent apologies offered by the King and the former Dutch Prime Minister and a shifting societal mindset toward the shared past. These developments, he argued, create opportunities for more open dialogue and renewed trust if they are followed by concrete action.
De Graaf revisited the Council of State’s “spontaneous advice” issued more than a year ago on the future of Kingdom relations, stressing that the Statute itself does not need revision. Instead, he argued that the problem lies in its application. The Statute already allows for cooperation, mutual assistance and, when necessary, intervention to safeguard good governance. What is lacking, he said, is the collective will to use these instruments proactively, particularly in areas such as education, poverty reduction and institutional strengthening, where earlier cooperation could prevent more drastic measures later on.
He also voiced concern over the slow and fragmented responses of the four Kingdom governments to the Council’s advice, noting that a sense of urgency appears to be missing. Rather than separate national reactions, he suggested that the moment calls for a joint, Kingdom-wide conversation about priorities, responsibilities and the long-term sustainability of the Kingdom.
As a way forward, De Graaf proposed the organization of a Kingdom conference in the coming year, bringing together governments, parliaments, academics, advisory bodies and young people from all four countries. Such a forum, he argued, could inject new ideas and help modernize cooperation within the existing constitutional framework, ensuring that the Kingdom remains viable and relevant as it approaches the centenary of the Statute in 2054.
Concluding his address, the Vice President underscored that a stronger and more cohesive Kingdom is possible without legal overhaul, provided there is genuine commitment to mutual respect, solidarity and constructive collaboration. He placed particular hope in younger generations, urging them to challenge political leaders and push for action that improves the lives of all Kingdom citizens, regardless of where they live.