During his official mission to The Hague, Member of Parliament Eduard Pieters of the PPA faction placed a distinct focus on Aruba’s role within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Pieters emphasized that Aruba should not only be a country that defends its position but must also seek the path to becoming a proactive partner that strengthens the relationships determining the future of the entire Kingdom. His message remained consistent throughout all meetings: a strong Kingdom is not built through pressure or distance, but through dialogue, understanding, and mutual trust.
Relationships Are Not Automatic and Must Be Actively Built According to Pieters, one of the greatest weaknesses within the Kingdom is the lack of direct relationships between decision-makers. Many politicians in the Netherlands do not deeply know Aruba’s reality or connect with the local context, leading to a distance that affects decision-making. “We cannot assume they understand us; we must create that understanding,” Pieters indicated. This is why his presence in The Hague was strategic rather than symbolic—his role was to build bridges, create trust and partnership, and provide real substance to Aruba’s narrative.
Dialogue as a Political Instrument, Not a Weakness In his encounters with various parties, including those not always aligned with Aruba’s positions, Pieters emphasized the importance of barrier-free dialogue. “Strong relationships are not built only with people you agree with. They are built with everyone who has influence over decisions,” he said. This approach shifts from defensive politics to proactive politics, where Aruba does not simply wait for an invitation but goes directly to participate and engage with content regarding Aruba’s position.
A Kingdom Based on Equality and Mutual Respect A central point of his message was that the relationship within the Kingdom must evolve. It should not be based solely on sharing a constitutional framework or a common history. The real relationship must be based on bilateral trust and respect, transparency, and an understanding of the differences between the countries. “Each country has its own reality. If we do not understand this, we cannot build a strong Kingdom,” Pieters underlined.
Cooperation as a Solution for Common Challenges Instead of viewing challenges as the problems of a single country, Pieters put forward a different vision. The Dutch Kingdom must collaborate on economic themes, share knowledge, and create common opportunities. Especially in the context of global change, economic shifts, and international pressure, this collaboration becomes even more vital. “We are not strong separately; we are strong when we work together,” Pieters indicated.
An Investment in the Kingdom’s Future According to Pieters, the visit to The Hague was not just about the present, but also the future—a future where political ties must be created, institutional contacts strengthened, and mutual understanding increased. In this way, Aruba invests in a much stronger position within the Kingdom. “Relationships are built over time. If we do not start today, we will not see results tomorrow,” he said.
Pieters concluded that the Dutch Kingdom cannot function without trust, trust cannot exist without relationships, and relationships are not built without conscious and consistent effort. “We must move from a Kingdom of distance to a Kingdom of connection,” Pieters concluded. “Because only then can we guarantee that every country, large or small, feels they have a real place in the future of the Kingdom.”