WILLEMSTAD - After a year and a half, on July 7th, the Cabinet Rutte IV in the Netherlands fell due to disagreement within the cabinet regarding the asylum policy to be pursued. The government of Curaçao deeply regrets the fall of the cabinet, as it occurred at a crucial moment in the mutual relations within the Kingdom.
During the term of Cabinet Rutte IV, Cabinet Pisas II, together with State Secretary of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, Mrs. Alexandra van Huffelen, worked diligently on a common agenda for the implementation of reforms outlined in the Country Package, as well as on the development of a new Mutual Regulation for cooperation in reforms to replace the Kingdom Act COHO.
Furthermore, the Pisas government has invested a lot of energy in the past year in the opening of several Dutch programs, such as the National Growth Fund, the Sustainable Energy Production and Climate Transition Stimulus Scheme (SDE++), and the guarantee scheme for credits to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (BMKB), all aimed at further developing a sustainable economy, as well as improving the quality of our education system through a significant digitization program. Additionally, good progress has been made in discussions with the Dutch government regarding the allocation of necessary resources for investments in our physical infrastructure.
Numerous other programs, projects, and reforms, including those related to energy transition and improving the quality of public organization and services, are currently being implemented with the support of the Dutch government under the framework of the Country Package.
In recent months, Cabinet Pisas II has been negotiating with the Dutch government regarding the refinancing of the COVID-19 loans (amounting to nearly NAf 1 billion) that were provided to Curaçao during the COVID-19 pandemic. The repayment period for these loans expires on October 10th, and it is intended that the Dutch government will refinance these loans under concessional terms. In this context, negotiations are also taking place for the necessary credits to support a significant multi-year investment program worth hundreds of millions of guilders, aligned with a long-term economic framework for Curaçao. The Pisas II Cabinet is also engaged in discussions with the Dutch government regarding the Ennia issue, aiming to reach an effective solution for the policyholders' benefit. Despite the caretaker status of the Dutch cabinet, Cabinet Pisas II will continue to closely collaborate with Cabinet Rutte IV on the aforementioned ongoing matters to successfully conclude them based on the previously agreed commitments.
The government of Curaçao is determined to maintain a strong and constructive relationship with the Dutch government for the benefit of mutual interests and good understanding between the countries of the Kingdom.
Therefore, we will continue to collaborate with the Dutch government to address ongoing matters as effectively as possible and to find joint solutions for the well-being of the Kingdom and our citizens. The government expresses gratitude to the current caretaker Dutch government for its support over the past year and a half and wishes them strength during the upcoming transitional period leading to the next elections for the House of Representatives and the formation of a new government thereafter.