The faction leader of the Arubano People’s Party (AVP), Jennifer Reyes, shared a comprehensive overview of the most important points discussed during the recent Tripartite meeting. Among the highlighted agenda items were the structuring of the Geschillenregeling (Dispute Regulation), the monetary future of the islands of Curaçao and Sint Maarten, and the ways in which the Kingdom should give substance to the legacy of slavery (Slavernijverleden).
One of the heaviest topics on the agenda was the path to finally reaching a Geschillenregeling for the Kingdom, a process that, according to Reyes, has been ongoing for nearly 16 years.
Reyes emphasized the importance of achieving a concrete and deliverable product this time around, especially now that this trajectory must be presented to the Netherlands. In this context, the parliamentarian explained that steps must be taken to ensure there is a structured report.
“Curaçao and Sint Maarten have a role where they can provide their input. Perhaps there are points they want to see differently, but the main goal is for us to come together, so that at the end of the day, we have a unified product,” Reyes declared.
Aruba, representing the petit comité which includes various members of Parliament, received valuable advice from the Council of State of the Kingdom (Raad van State van het Koninkrijk). Currently, the islands are working on a joint draft, awaiting the reactions of Curaçao and Sint Maarten to determine how to formally move forward with this process.
Another relevant topic was the presentation by Curaçao and Sint Maarten regarding their Monetary Union. The two islands presented a joint press release based on an investigation conducted by Professor Winter. This study analyzes the proposals and the path that the islands, together with their Central Bank, can take in the future.
From Aruba’s perspective, Reyes took the opportunity to share the island’s positive experience with having its own autonomous Central Bank. The faction leader highlighted the benefits from Aruba’s viewpoint, particularly in the fields of:
· Financial supervision and regulation of commercial banks and companies.
· Control over interest rates and the management of pension funds.
· The crucial role of the national currency (Florin) pegged to the US Dollar.
· Compliance with international standards.
Based on this successful experience, Aruba recommended the model of an independent central bank to the other Kingdom islands.
Regarding the topic of the History of Slavery (Slavernijverleden), Reyes explained how Aruba can develop projects to benefit from the funds made available by the Netherlands. These funds can be invested in the restoration of historical monuments, such as the Willem III Toren and Fort Zoutman.
Additionally, an ‘open call’ will be launched for various NGOs (non-governmental organizations) to participate in the brainstorming process. The goal is to decide how to give profound and meaningful substance to the commemorative day of July 1st (Emancipation Day).
Reyes emphasized that the discussion needs to go further:
“We must think about how we, as the country of Aruba, want to see this topic carried forward, so that the public can also feel this as an investment in education and in the identification of our own identity.”
To conclude, Reyes referred to statements sometimes thrown at the islands by certain members of the Dutch House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer). The faction leader expressed that Aruba prefers a much more diplomatic approach.
The island advocates for an environment of mutual respect where opinions and differences can be expressed without falling into confrontation, always recognizing that the Caribbean islands are a fundamental part of the Dutch Kingdom.