WILLEMSTAD — The Netherlands Antilles contribute to the stability in the region. Premier Emily de Jongh-Elhage (PAR) stated this during Thursday’s opening of the meeting-week of three committees of the Latin American parliament (Parlatino) on Curaçao. In her opening speech, the Premier dilated upon the political process, which the Antilles are currently undergoing.
In her speech, she also dilated upon the role of the Antilles in the region. "I am not ashamed to admit that we owe our welfare and our stability to our bond with the Netherlands. The geopolitical role, which we as islands have to fulfill, also plays a part", said the Premier. In this respect, she referred to the foreign policy, which the Kingdom supports, in which friendly and peaceful relations are at the centre. This policy arranges for the Antilles – in view of the good bonds, which they maintain with amongst others the organization of American States (OEA) and Caricom – to play an important role in the preservation of the stability in the region, according to the Premier.
Furthermore, the Premier gave the delegates of the committee meetings, and the various invitees, an explanation on the current political status of affairs and what they hope to achieve with this process. The pursuit for the new statuses for the various islands is according to De Jongh-Elhage inspired by the wish of the inhabitants of the islands, which currently are a part of the Antilles to follow a new course, and the pursuit of the current cabinet to procure the welfare for the inhabitants of the island. De Jongh-Elhage further indicated that a lot still has to be accomplished so that the new statuses become effective next year, as planned.
"In spite of our wish that the new entities could start in the course of next year, we are aware that not all aspects of this process will be concluded per this date. However, it should at least be possible that the statutory and organizational frameworks of the involved countries are formalized. The manner, in which we should proceed so that the new Kingdom will be formed next year, will be the subject of a meeting at high level with the Dutch government, which will take place on Curaçao within a few weeks." The Premier indicated she was convinced that the target date of next year would be met, if all involved parties display the necessary political will during aforementioned meeting.
In her speech, the Premier also dilated upon the criticism on the political process. She denied that the new statuses would lead to Curaçao and St. Maarten retroceding their power and authorities to the Netherlands, as the Statute will not be adjusted in that respect. The Premier also disagreed with the call for independency by many opponents of the political process. "I respect the wish of the population. During the referenda of 2000 and 2005, only a small percent of the population, some 4 percent, supported independency."
News article taken from www.amigoe.com