Representatives of government, the Police Corps, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Kingdom Detective Cooperation Team RST, the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard, the Royal Marechaussee, the Cabinet of the Governor, Customs and the Representation of the Netherlands in Willemstad on board the Zr. Ms. Zeeland.
WILLEMSTAD--On Monday, several partners from Curaçao’s security sector met on board the recently-arrived Royal Navy’s station ship Zr.Ms. Zeeland for a theme day devoted to (simplified) military assistance requests and the strengthening of cooperation with the local authorities.
One of the three main tasks of the Dutch Defence Ministry in the Caribbean is to support local and civil authorities. At the initiative of Brigadier General Peter Jan de Vin, the group discussed how and in which situations military assistance could be of added value.
In addition, the procedure for applying for certain assistance on Curaçao has been simplified, which ensures one can act more quickly. The new procedure applies to the use of military for searching, tracking and diving operations, as well as static observations by viewers and drones.
“It was an excellent day that contributed to the close connection of the sector partners, under whose leadership we are acting at all times,” said De Vin.
In addition to substantive topics, the guests experienced how life is aboard a naval vessel and they were offered the traditional 'blue bite' (Indonesian cuisine).
A similar meeting will also be organised in the spring for the local authorities in Aruba, for whom the procedure to apply for military assistance requests has also been simplified.
