Minister Plenipotentiary Her Excellency Drs. Gracita Arrindell attended a farewell ceremony for the former Dutch Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, Frank Rijkaart, and the former Secretary of State for Digitalization and Kingdom Relations, Eddie van Marum.
To show appreciation for their cooperation and contributions to Sint Maarten and the Dutch Caribbean, Arrindell presented them with copies of the booklet “Salt Reapers”, which recounts the history of the salt industry in Sint Maarten. This gesture highlighted the importance of sharing Sint Maarten’s heritage and history with partners in the Kingdom.
Arrindell stated that their sincere engagement during their constructive tenure was greatly appreciated and that she took the opportunity to bid them a formal farewell.
A new Dutch government officially took office on February 23, 2026, with a coalition of Democrats ’66 (D66), People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), and Christian Democratic Alliance (CDA), consisting of 18 ministers and 10 secretaries of state. Pieter Heerma is the new Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, and Eric van der Burg is Minister for Kingdom Relations and Effective Government. The oath-taking ceremony by the King marked the formal entry of the Jetten Government.
