THE HAGUE - It may take a long time before there is clarity about the allocation of responsibilities of the individual countries and of the Kingdom as a whole. This is apparent from the cabinet's answer to the question of the Volt faction about the implementation of the motion of the then Member of Parliament Ronald van Raak (SP).
The motion, which is three years old, reads as follows: “The House, after hearing the deliberations, has noted that decisions by the Kingdom often lead to disputes with the countries; noting that differences in interpretation of the Statute play a role in these disputes; Calls on the governments of Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and the Netherlands, in joint consultation, to further define the responsibilities of the countries individually and of the Kingdom as a whole, and to inform parliaments about this, and proceeds to the order of day."
Former State Secretary Raymond Knops, not overflowing with enthusiasm, decided to set up a kingdom-wide official working group. The working group only met for the first time in November last year. It was concluded that “it is important to first conduct an analysis of the motion, before zooming in on concrete themes. It has been agreed to work on a joint vision document, which will form the basis for a study to be carried out.”