Political consultation
in Curaçao February 16
PHILIPSBURG--Dutch State Secretary of Kingdom Relations Ank Bijleveld-Schouten will have a political consultation with St. Maarten, Curaçao and the Government of the Netherlands Antilles in Curaçao on February 16 on law enforcement and modelling the Prosecutor’s Department. Dutch Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin is also expected to be present.
Constitutional Affairs Minister Roland Duncan has high hopes that the remaining Justice issues related to the constitutional change process will be ironed during that meeting.
The authority of the Dutch Minister of Justice to give directives to the Attorney general of the Netherlands Antilles and having only one Attorney General for the Dutch Caribbean are the only points of the November 2, 2006, accord that remain to be agreed on.
Duncan said the constitutional change process had advanced considerably compared to last year August. He is optimistic that the last hurdle on Justice matters will be cleared. “Some minor arguments need to be sorted out. Let’s pray that we will take balanced decisions.”
If an agreement is reached on Justice matters, Duncan said, all the issues the Dutch Government has tabled will have been dealt with. “That would mean that it’s up to the islands to construct the new entities and deal with each other on outstanding matters such as the Central Bank and an admittance and expulsion regulation.”
