THE HAGUE - The Dutch cabinet and government of Curaçao are on the right track to reach an agreement on a third package of corona support. Undersecretary Raymond Knops of Kingdom Relations and Prime Minister Eugene Rhuggenaath announced this after the meeting of the Kingdom Council of Ministers in The Hague.
The Undersecretary calls it "a milestone" in the negotiations, which have been difficult for some time. Knops will fly to the island on Sunday to talk about the final details. Both countries are expected to sign the final agreement next week.
Rhuggenaath, who was previously very critical of the proposal and the attitude of the Netherlands, thinks that there is now “a much better package on the table”. Critics say Curaçao now has no choice but to reach an agreement because the country's treasury is empty.
In the current proposal, the autonomy of Curaçao, which the country has had since 2010, would be better safeguarded. According to the prime minister, work has also been done on trust between The Hague and Curaçao. However, according to him this "took time".
Aruba and Sint Maarten, also countries within the Kingdom, have, just like Curaçao, been in talks for a long time about further emergency support. Aruba would also be "very far", but is "just not there yet", according to minister plenipotentiary Guillfred Besaril. Sint Maarten is still discussing a second aid package.
