In official meetings with the President of the Eerste Kamer, Mei Li Vos, and with the Kingdom Relations Committee of the Tweede Kamer (the Dutch House of Representatives), the Government of Aruba shared a clear and constructive vision regarding the future of the Dutch Kingdom. Prime Minister Mike Eman, alongside Minister Plenipotentiary Mildred Schwengle and the Aruban delegation, emphasized the importance of building a Kingdom that is functional, relevant, and creates added value for all its constituent countries.
According to Prime Minister Mike Eman, debates surrounding the Kingdom often focus primarily on conflicts and differences of opinion, while lacking attention for the fundamental question: what does the Kingdom want to be in the future? “We went with a very clear message. Aruba has a positive vision for the Kingdom. We want a Kingdom that functions well, creates opportunities, and has added value for all its people,” Prime Minister Mike Eman declared after the meeting at the Tweede Kamer. During the meetings, the Government of Aruba presented several concrete examples of how collaboration within the Kingdom can contribute to economic development, innovation, and the strengthening of Aruba’s strategic position in the Caribbean, South American, and Central American regions.
One of the examples mentioned was the cooperation with Wageningen University & Research, which paves the way for establishing academic activities and research in Aruba. According to Prime Minister Eman, this initiative not only assists Aruba in the areas of sustainability, agriculture, and nature, but also creates opportunities for the Netherlands in the region. “We are showing that Dutch institutions and companies can play an important role in the Caribbean and the wider region. Aruba can serve as a strategic platform for knowledge, innovation, and international collaboration,” Eman expressed.
During the dialogue with members of the Tweede Kamer, various economic and strategic opportunities were also discussed, including the EU preclearance process, academic cooperation, and the future development of the refinery. The Government of Aruba emphasized that the new focus is one based on alliances, collaboration, and shared opportunities, instead of solely focusing on conflicts. Prime Minister Eman indicated that the reactions during the meetings were positive and that there is a genuine interest in the vision presented by Aruba. “We notice that there is interest in a different way of looking at the Kingdom. Not just looking at where the problems are, but also looking at where there are opportunities to work together and strengthen the Kingdom for everyone,” Eman commented.
The Government of Aruba considers this visit an important step in strengthening institutional relations with the Netherlands and in creating an environment of greater collaboration within the Dutch Kingdom.
Government press release AVP-FUTURO
