An independent commission, chaired by former Council of State member Maria van der Sluijs-Plantz, will evaluate the implementation of the Country Packages (Landspakketten) for Aruba, Curaçao, and St. Maarten.
In accordance with the Mutual Agreement on Cooperation for Reforms, the prime ministers of Aruba, Curaçao, and St. Maarten, together with the Dutch Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, appointed this evaluation commission. Its task is to assess the functioning, effectiveness, and impact of the agreement.
Background of the Landspakketten
At the end of 2020, Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten, and the Netherlands signed the Country Packages as part of financial support measures provided during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each package contains a broad set of reforms aimed at strengthening economic resilience and administrative capacity in the Caribbean countries.
In April 2023, the cooperation was formalized through the Mutual Agreement, with a duration of four years and the possibility of extension. The agreement also stipulated that after three years, an independent commission would carry out an evaluation.
Composition of the Commission
The commission consists of one independent chairperson agreed upon by all four countries and four independent members selected based on their professional expertise:
- Chair: Maria van der Sluijs-Plantz
- Aruba: Angel Bermudez
- Curaçao: Francis de Lanoy
- The Netherlands: Cees Slager
- St. Maarten: Franklyn Richards
The commission will be supported by an independent research office.
Next Steps
The evaluation will play a key role in shaping administrative decisions regarding the continuation, termination, or adjustment of the Mutual Agreement. The findings are also expected to help establish a more effective and lasting framework for future cooperation. The final evaluation report must be delivered no later than March 2026 to the prime ministers of Aruba, Curaçao, and St. Maarten, as well as the Dutch Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations.
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