Queen Beatrix: 'Continued support for new countries'

September 23, 2010 10:55 AM

THE HAGUE--The Dutch Government will continue to support Curaçao and St. Maarten, stated Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands in the annual Queen's Speech (Troonrede) on Tuesday.

The Queen's Speech, written by the Dutch cabinet, dedicated one paragraph to Kingdom relations. "Preparations have been made to realise new constitutional relations in the Kingdom. The Netherlands Antilles will cease to exist as a country within the Kingdom. Curaçao and St. Maarten will each obtain the status of country.

"The island territories Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba will become part of the Dutch Constellation as public entities. Curaçao and St. Maarten can count on continuous support of the Dutch Government in the area of maintenance of law and order and good governance," stated the Queen in her speech on the occasion of Budget Day (Prinsjesdag) in The Hague.

The Ministry of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations BZK stated in a press release that 2011 would be the year of executing the new constitutional relations in the Kingdom. "2011 is the year of further execution of agreements that have been made and the implementation of the legislation," it was stated in a press release.

"The Netherlands will support the new countries in the functioning of the new country organisations. Plans of approach have been drafted for those parts of the governments which insufficiently function on the transition date of October 10, 2010. The execution of the plans of approach in principle covers a period of a maximum of two years. The focus in 2011 is on the implementation of the plans of approach," it was stated.

As for Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, the press release stated that Dutch Government has taken over the role of the Antillean Government. "This means that members of the Dutch cabinet will take responsibility for their various policy areas on the islands."

Aruba and the Netherlands have agreed on a joint agenda to realise improvements in the coming years in the areas of maintenance of law and order, quality of life in Oranjestad and legislation.

The investigation into the state of affairs of Aruba's Government will be concluded early 2011. "Based on the results of this investigation, it will be determined whether further measures are needed and in which areas. This doesn't take away the fact that improvement of the immigration chain and the Aruban Police Force needs to continue forcefully. This is primarily a task of the Aruban Government. This also goes for the country's worrisome financial situation. Aruba's Government is working on improving this."

The new constitutional relations in the Kingdom require a new vision on the Kingdom. "A vision in which a clear interpretation of the guarantee function as stated in the Charter is important," it was stated. In 2011, a document on a long-term vision will be presented to the Second Chamber.

21 September 2010