10-10-10: End of the Netherlands Antilles

On the10th of October 2010 the Netherlands Antilles will cease to exist. Curaçao and Sint Maarten will, subject to conditions, become independent countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius will become ‘special municipalities’ of the Netherlands. In order to guarantee continuity in the fight against cross-border and organised crime, the Joint Criminal Investigation Team (RST) will remain active. These are the most important results of the political consultations that State Secretary Ank Bijleveld held today with representatives of the Netherlands Antilles, Curaçao and Sint Maarten.

In order to become countries, Curaçao and Sint Maarten must have a proper legislative framework in place and public authorities must be prepared for their tasks. A round-table assessment conference will decide whether this is the case. If Curaçao and Sint Maarten fail to meet the criteria for becoming independent countries agreed in 2006, a strategic plan will be drawn up for the policy area in question to ensure that the criteria are met as soon as possible. A progress committee will monitor developments. The future prime ministers of Curaçao and Sint Maarten and the Dutch State Secretary for Kingdom Relations will have a special role in this respect. If delays are likely, they will resolve the issue in bilateral consultations. Should these parties fail to find a solution, the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom of the Netherlands will have the final word. These arrangements have been adopted in a General Order in Council for the Kingdom.

In the political consultations held today, it was concluded that insufficient progress has been made regarding the shared police body. This body will include new police forces that will cooperate to fight organised and cross-border crime. The body is also intended for operational support. In order to ensure that the fight against organised and cross-border crime continues, it has been decided to extend the existing and successful cooperation within the Joint Criminal Investigation Team. The tasks of the Team will not be transferred until the police forces and the joint police body are functioning properly from a quality point of view.