To the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom
On Thursday February 9th Minister Liesbeth Spies for Home Affairs & Kingdom Relations will start her eight days visit to Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius. The purpose this visit is an introduction to the islands, administrators, inhabitants and culture.
This is the first visit of Minister Spies to the Caribbean Netherlands and is meant to build relations with the islands and its inhabitants. "Before you can talk about people you must first speak with people". On Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius, there will therefore not only be discussions with administrators, but also meetings with the community, tours of the islands and a visit to the carnival parades on Bonaire on the programme.
The Minister begins her visit on February 9th on Aruba. On the day of arrival she will talk with Governor Fredis Refunjol of Aruba,. The following day she will talk with Prime Minister Eman and will meet with the Council of Ministers.
In the afternoon on February 10th , the visit to Curacao starts with a visit to Governor Frits Goedgedrag. Further Minister Spies will speak that day with Prime Minister Gerrit Schotte and the Council of Ministers. On Saturday February 11th a visit to the Isla Refinery is scheduled on the programme. The member of government will also speak with representatives of the SMOC Foundation. Afterwards she departs for Bonaire.
On Saturday February 11th the Minister arrives on Bonaire, where she will make a tour of the island and will visit the children’s carnival parade in Rincon and Playa. The Representative of the Dutch Central Government (de Rijksvertegenwoordiger) will organize receptions on Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius, where the Minister will have the opportunity to meet representatives of different organizations. On February 13th the Minister will hold talks with the Acting Island Governor, the Executive Council and the Island Council. Subsequently she departs for St. Maarten.
The programme on February 13th on St. Maarten consists of consultations with Governor Eugene Holiday, Prime Minister Sarah Wescott-Williams and the Council of Ministers.
Saba and St. Eustatius will be visited by the Minister on February 14th and 15th . On both islands discussions with the Island Governor, the Executive Council and the Island Council are scheduled on the programme. Furthermore time is planned for tours around the islands.
On February 16th the Minister will travel to Curacao. There an introduction to the Commission Financial Supervision (CFT) and a visit to the Parera naval base are still on the programme. At the end of the afternoon minister Spies departs for Amsterdam.