On October 1 and 2, Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, the Netherlands, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten met in Curaçao to discuss the establishment of a new EU platform. The islands in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom hold the status of Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) with the European Union. The meeting was organized by the Representation of the Netherlands in Willemstad.
The aim of the EU platform is to better position the Kingdom towards Brussels, so that the opportunities the European Union offers the OCTs can be better utilized. For the EU, the OCTs hold great strategic value as outposts in a rapidly changing world. For the OCTs, the opportunities lie primarily in European funds.
The discussion was based on the autonomy of the countries and the individual relationship each OCT maintains with the European Commission. Against this backdrop, the structure and potential of the EU platform were outlined. The Permanent Representation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the European Union in Brussels also attended the meeting.
This representation is crucial for the Kingdom partners in seizing opportunities in Brussels and can provide insight into the European Commission’s strategy. That strategy is increasingly focused on geopolitical influence—an area where the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom can play a significant role.
In light of this, the meeting included further discussion on the potential activities of the EU platform. These could focus on the (joint) monitoring of relevant calls for proposals from horizontal European funds, identifying the training needs of the OCTs, and sharing existing knowledge, information, and networks. In the period ahead, these topics will be further elaborated upon jointly by the seven Kingdom partners.
