From 2000 to 2007, the EU reserved 53.2 million as part of the ninth European Development Fund (EDF), including allocations that were left over from earlier EDFs. The EU made 32.8 million euros available for the tenth EDF, which covers the period 2008-2013. A break-down of the figures of the current tenth EDF shows that Curaçao received 11.25 million euros for infrastructure, Aruba got 8.8 million euros to execute its education plan 2007-2017 and St. Maarten

obtained 4.75 million to improve the sewerage system in the districts.

 

In the tenth EDF, 3 million euros were allocated for Bonaire to further upgrade and expand the sewerage and sewage treatment system on the island as a follow-up to the funds that had already been reserved in the ninth EDF. St. Eustatius received 2 million euros to develop a container terminal at the harbour, while 3 million were made available to prepare infrastructure for social housing in Saba.

 

Amounts for the eleventh EDF for the period 2014- 2020 are not known as yet, stated Timmermans in his letter to the Dutch Parliament. The programming for the eleventh EDF will start this year, based on the revised Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) status of the Dutch Caribbean islands, which should become effective in January 2014.

 

The Second Chamber’s Permanent Committee for Kingdom Relations had asked for an overview of the EU funds for the Caribbean part of the Dutch Kingdom during a debate with Minister Timmermans on February 6.

 

(The Daily Herald)