Within the framework of the IPKO (Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultation) meetings currently taking place, Mr. Paul Comenencia, member of the Council of State (Raad van State), shared his views and concerns regarding cooperation within the Dutch Kingdom. According to Comenencia, although all delegations value cooperation, there is a lack of clarity regarding the goals and the direction the countries want to take together.
During the meeting, the topic of cooperation was highly prominent. Comenencia explained that a mixed sentiment could be observed among the different delegations. On one hand, they recognize that cooperation between the four countries (Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and the Netherlands) is crucial for progress, the well-being of the people, and the stability of the Kingdom. On the other hand, many expressed that they feel there is a lack of attention on various aspects and a lack of better implementation of this cooperation.
When asked about the focus of cooperation—specifically the criticism that cooperation often remains just words but is not properly implemented—Mr. Comenencia gave a detailed response:
“In order to cooperate, it is important for the countries to have a good understanding of what goals they want to achieve together. Why do you want to cooperate? What do you want to achieve?” Comenencia emphasized.
For this reason, the Council of State member suggested during his intervention that the four countries work together on a shared vision. This vision must clearly define where the Kingdom wants to go now and in the future, just as was done in 1954 when the Statute (Statuut) was established.
Back then, the principle was based on the idea that the countries do as much as possible for themselves, but support each other where necessary.
Comenencia explained that now, more than 70 years later, developments in each country have changed. Therefore, he believes this is the ideal moment for the four countries to evaluate how they want to move forward with one another and what cooperation means in the current era.
“There are different interpretations of how cooperation works within the Kingdom and what is important. To clarify this and reach a true and productive cooperation, it would be good for the four countries to bring to life a new list—just like in 1954—of why we are together and how we will continue together,” he stated.
On the question of whether the Kingdom countries truly support each other during difficult times (as was the case during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis) or if there is a tendency to structurally correct one another, Comenencia indicated that this is a question the governments and parliaments themselves must answer. He considers that each country must evaluate for itself how satisfied it is with the way they compared to one another in times of crisis.