THE HAGUE - Improving living standards, caring for and protecting nature and the environment, and promoting good education and a more diverse economy. These are the main themes for State Secretary Alexandra Van Huffelen of Kingdom Relations that she will be working on in the coming years. In a letter to the Dutch Parliament, she stated that cooperation based on equality forms the basis of all her efforts.
The State Secretary visited all six Caribbean islands within the Kingdom from 11 to 24 February. After these visits, she concluded that the islands each have their own needs and that a tailor-made approach is therefore required.
“The islands offer a great many opportunities if the residents are given the chance to seize them,” says the State Secretary. “I see it as my mission to support this. I want to work hard for that together with the governments and residents of the Caribbean part of the kingdom. Of course also with respect for the autonomous position within that same kingdom.”
Van Huffelen is initially concerned about the poverty she has seen on the islands. “Despite the efforts of previous cabinets, I have noticed that people on Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius are not yet aware of this enough in their wallets.”
It has been agreed in the coalition agreement that EUR 30 million is structurally available for the Caribbean Netherlands, in addition to EUR 35 million for the conservation and restoration of nature.
As far as the State Secretary is concerned, central to the relationship with the countries Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten is cooperation based on equality. “All three countries are fully part of the Kingdom and that is the foundation from which we work together for the future.”
Challenges that the countries face in this regard include increasing poverty, a lack of implementation capacity and a rule of law that needs strengthening. “These are serious challenges for which we must use the power of the Kingdom. It is up to the countries to work on solutions, but they are not alone. This also means that we are committed to sound and honest governance that is devoted to safeguarding human rights.”
The intention is to further elaborate the plans for the summer together with the islands and the ministries involved.