Aruba Delegation Meets Secretary of State Eric
ORANJESTAD (AAN) – The Aruba delegation currently visiting the Netherlands has met with Secretary of State Eric van der Burg to discuss the island’s development and follow-up on previous agreements. The meeting focused on ensuring progress on topics agreed upon with Premier Jetten, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding pre-clearance for Europe.
The delegation highlighted the importance of support from the Secretary of State, noting that these dossiers often face bureaucratic hurdles where a Minister or State Secretary can facilitate progress. Support was also discussed regarding the agreement with Wageningen, which was signed in the presence of Premier Jetten.
Additionally, the delegation met with the Ministry of Economic Affairs (Economische Zaken). The Ministry is set to provide three specialists to assist in the redevelopment process of the refinery area. This involves determining which parts of the site need cleaning, which should be preserved, and how to dismantle unused components. The goal is to bring the strategic terrain and unique wharf to the market, targeting sustainable investments.
While the MOU establishes an agreement in principle, the delegation emphasized that execution requires collaboration from all instances. They expressed readiness to assist Aruba with the necessary follow-up to ensure these projects move forward.
