THE NETHERLANDS (THE HAGUE) – Following the first meeting of the Kingdom Council of Ministers after the summer recess, Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell, Sint Maarten’s Minister Plenipotentiary in The Hague, welcomed the opportunity to engage with colleagues in The Hague on matters of public interest and shared importance.
Arrindell stated on Monday that Friday August 28, 2026, Kingdom Council of Ministers meeting, was the first time that three ministers of plenipotentiary were able to be present together in a collective setting.
Aruba’s Minister Plenipotentiary, Mildred G.M. Schwengle was appointed in March followed by Curacao’s Minister Plenipotentiary Sidney C. Justiana who was appointed recently.
Arrindell said it’s important for the CAS (Curacao, Aruba, Sint Maarten) islands of the Kingdom to maintain close cooperation, exchange views on role and responsibilities, and discuss priorities for each country.
Some of the topics that can be discussed are the progress and future outlook of the Country Packages (Landspakketten), food security initiatives through the Carifood Fund, broader Kingdom relation policies, socio-economic development, public finance oversight, and the implementation of previously adopted motions and commitments by the Dutch Second Chamber of Parliament.
“It is important for the CAS islands to maintain a strong engagement as Kingdom partners and staying informed on parliamentary discussions that impact the countries of the Kingdom in general, and particularly Sint Maarten,” Minister Plenipotentiary Drs. Gracita Arrindell said on Monday.
