Eduard Pieters: “We must continue to bring Aruba’s voice to the places where decisions are made.”
In a time when relations within the Dutch Kingdom face increasingly intense debate, a reality becomes clear during the IPKO meetings in the Netherlands: the future of our country is not determined by slogans or media statements, but by dialogue, conviction, and presence in the places where decisions for the Kingdom are truly made.
Member of Parliament Eduard Pieters of the PPA faction emphasized precisely that point during his participation in the interparliamentary meeting that brought together representatives from Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and the Netherlands.
A Strong Kingdom Begins with Mutual Understanding
One of the most notable moments during the meetings was the presentation by an independent group of experts who analyzed the state of democracy within the Dutch Kingdom.
The experts focused on five fundamental dimensions: representation, influence, control and accountability, balance/symmetry of power, and institutional capacity. According to Pieters, the final point—institutional capacity—is one of the most decisive aspects for the future of the Kingdom and heavily influences the other dimensions.
“You cannot speak of equity, participation, or autonomy if you do not have the institutional capacity to execute them,” he indicated.
For Pieters, this study not only contributes to academic knowledge but also offers a unique opportunity for the Dutch Kingdom to look at itself honestly and identify areas for improvement.
Listen with Your Mind, but Also with Your Heart
During various sessions and workshops, a central theme continuously emerged: real collaboration begins with real listening. It is not enough to just hear what another country is saying; one must understand the concerns, experiences, and realities behind each position.
According to Pieters, relations within the Kingdom are often affected by perceptions and prejudices that do not always reflect reality.
“When we sit at the table and speak honestly, we understand better where each nation is coming from.”
Precisely for this reason, the PPA has made a conscious effort since Pieters’ trip in April 2026 to maintain a direct dialogue with different political actors in the Netherlands.
Defending Aruba Is More Than Just Criticizing
Pieters acknowledged that it is easy to criticize from a distance, but the real work is quite different.
“It is easy to stand in Aruba and criticize. But the real work happens when you sit at the table with the other person, look each other in the eye, and have the difficult conversations that need to happen.”
According to the MP, this is precisely why the PPA faction has continued to make the effort to hold meetings and dialogues with various factions and representatives from the Netherlands. This is not done to create conflict or seek confrontation, but to ensure that Aruba’s positions are heard and understood in the places where decisions are made.
Aruba Must Continue to Let Its Voice Resonate
A topic that naturally remains present in various conversations is the discussion related to the Kingdom Act HOFA (Rijkswet HOFA).
Although the topic is not officially part of the IPKO agenda, Pieters confirmed that the PPA continues to hold meetings with various political representatives to share the constitutional concerns that exist regarding the proposal.
“We want any decision that is eventually made to be based on complete information, while respecting our constitutional position and our autonomy as a country.”
Leadership Builds Bridges
For Pieters, the main takeaway from these meetings is clear. Aruba does not benefit from distance or polarization. Aruba benefits from leadership that stands firm in its principles but is also willing to sit at the table and engage in the necessary dialogue.
“We took an oath to represent the people of Aruba and to safeguard our country. That is not achieved by shouting, but with arguments, respect, and perseverance.”