Knops (right) started his working visit to the so-called ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao) in Willemstad last Saturday. He was received by Curaçao Governor Lucille George-Wout and on Sunday met new Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas (left), who gave his guest a tour of the Banda’bou neighbourhood where the MFK-leader grew up.
WILLEMSTAD--Dutch caretaker State Secretary of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Raymond Knops is cautiously optimistic about negotiations with the new MFK/PNP government in Curaçao. Last weekend he and Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas visited Banda’bou, the rural western side of the island.
Talks between the countries and parliaments of the kingdom are also still in full swing. Knops said that, based on the current course, it should be possible for an agreement to be reached.
The Netherlands has provided around 800 million guilders in liquidity support since the start of the corona pandemic. Curaçao is now awaiting the sixth tranche, which can only be given if the conditions for such set by The Hague are met. This includes the proposed Caribbean Body for Reform and Development, or the COHO.
Knops continued to Bonaire on Monday, where he was to speak with Island Governor Edison Rijna, visit the “Plenchi di Trabou” job centre, meet the first home buyers who made use of a recently introduced Mortgage Guarantee and view the renovated Port of Kralendijk.
A trip to Klein Bonaire is also on the agenda to see how the planting of sabal palms there is progressing. Knops will end his Dutch Caribbean trip in Aruba later this week.
