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Agreement on refinancing corona loans requires approval from Dutch Parliament

Main news | By Correspondent July 12, 2023

THE HAGUE - The ongoing negotiations between the caretaker Rutte cabinet and the governments of Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten regarding the refinancing of expiring corona loans on October 10th will require approval from the Second Chamber. 

 

Despite months of discussions since February, a concrete agreement has yet to be reached. When questioned about the current status, the ministry stated, "The discussions are ongoing." This suggests that the recent talks held by State Secretary Van Huffelen with the prime ministers did not result in a breakthrough. 

 

Before an agreement can be finalized, it must be presented to the Second Chamber in the form of a budget amendment. This will provide the Chamber with an opportunity to debate the terms and conditions. The focus of the discussion will not solely be on the refinancing itself, as the countries are unable to repay the loans, but rather on determining the duration and interest rates to be applied. 

 

The negotiations carry significant weight as they impact the financial stability and future prospects of Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten. The Second Chamber will play a crucial role in assessing and approving the refinancing agreement, ensuring that the conditions are fair and sustainable for all parties involved. 

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