Nicolaï updates Parliament
on direct relations process
THE HAGUE--Minister of Administrative Reform and Kingdom Relations Atzo Nicolaï informed the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament last week of the process of realising new, direct ties with Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius.
Just before his departure to Bonaire for preliminary talks with the smaller islands, Nicolaï sent a letter to the Second Chamber stating his opinion about the September 18 advice by the Dutch Council of State and the trajectory he intended to follow.
In the September 29 letter, Nicolaï said the advice contained a “large number of useful” recommendations in many areas. The Council suggested taking up the three islands in the Dutch Constellation. The concept of municipality is not automatically applicable, but the Council advised using Dutch legislation.
Because of the size and location of the islands, the Council recommended special legal regulations creating a public body in the sense of article 134 of the Constitution. A change of the Constitution would not be necessary for now. A mini-summit between the Dutch Government and three smaller islands is kicking off today, Tuesday.
Nicolaï stated in his letter that he agreed in broad terms with the Council. He said the model as described by the Council largely corresponded with the wishes of the people of Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius to realise direct ties with the Netherlands.
He stated that the new structure would have to be effective and efficient. This view corresponds with that of the Second Chamber, which had already stated this desire in a motion tabled by CDA Member of Parliament Wim van Fessem. Nicolaï stressed that the point of departure remained that as many tasks as possible would remain on island level.
It will have to be investigated where the islands will deviate from the Dutch legal order, Nicolaï stated in his letter. This necessitates a thorough analysis on the islands of the direct ties with the Netherlands. The Netherlands will have to look at its legislation and see what legislation in what areas can be applied to the islands.
Direct ties don’t mean that the Dutch social benefits and securities will automatically apply on the islands. This also goes for the fiscal system. “This would not fit in the social economic circumstances of the Caribbean region. It has to be prevented that the islands become economically isolated in the region or that they are confronted with undesired migration,” Nicolaï stated.
He also addressed the issue of financial supervision, the influence of the Netherlands on this and the need for proper financial and budget discipline. He said intensive supervision would be necessary in the interim period.
He said he shared the opinion of the Council of State that the transition period needed full attention. “This is complex material,” he stated. He assured that directly after the conclusion of the mini-summit, he would start to put together the transition process.
St Maarten vacation rental
