By H.E. Ms Marvelyne Wiels, Minister Plenipotentiary of Curacao, Government of Curaçao, Ministry of General Affairs.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands has one of the most dynamic state structures of the 21st century. While sometimes explained as ‘One Kingdom, Four Countries’, its structure is far more complex than what initially meets the eye. The Statute of the Kingdom of the Netherlands was amended in 2010, with the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles, and the establishment of Curaçao and St. Maarten, which, along with Aruba, are now semi-autonomous countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Under this new statute, foreign affairs, defense, and nationality remain Kingdom affairs, while domestic policies are determined on individual country-level.
Each of the Caribbean countries within the Kingdom enhanced Aruba House, Curaçao House and St. Maarten House, their permanent representation in The Hague. Along with catering to the needs of the large diasporas, the ‘Houses’ also became home to the new Cabinets of the Ministers Plenipotentiary.
The Minister Plenipotentiary has a unique status; while not considered a minister within the Cabinet, the Minister Plenipotentiary can be considered an extension of the Cabinet, falling under the purview of the Prime Minister.
The Minister Plenipotentiary is primarily tasked with representing his or her respective country in the Kingdom Council of Ministers, based on instructions received from the capital. The Kingdom Council of Ministers is an enlarged variant of the Dutch Council of Ministers, including the three Ministers Plenipotentiary, that meets regularly to discuss Kingdom affairs.
The current Minister Plenipotentiary of Curaçao, Ms. Marvelyne Wiels, is therefore an extension of Curaçao’s sitting Cabinet, and falls under the current Prime Minister of Curaçao, Dr. Bernard Whiteman of Pueblo Soberano or the Sovereign People’s Party.
Despite the Statute adopted in 2010, several grey areas remain. In large part, the new relationship is a balancing act – not just between the 16.8 million people who reside in the Netherlands and the 250,000 that live in the Caribbean countries, but because each country, as expected, has its own set of interests and challenges. Curaçao, for example, has a multi-sectoral economy that is primarily based on building relations in the region.
Although each of the countries within the Kingdom is allowed to enter into certain agreements on a country-level, in various fora, the Kingdom of the Netherlands remains the recognized partner, with King Willem Alexander as Head of State. “This complex structure has its advantages, namely the fact that we are able to build bridges and relationships in different ways, be it bilaterally, or multilaterally, as four countries or as a Kingdom.” (Minister Plenipotentiary Wiels, 2016)
Foreign policy development therefore requires intra-Kingdom cooperation on a policy-level, ensuring coherence and understanding for deviating interests and concerns.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands officially made its ‘One Kingdom, Four Countries’ debut in 2014, as the lobby for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council intensified. Together, the Kingdom built a multi-faceted lobby titled: ‘Your Partner for Peace, Justice and Development.’
The lobby highlighted so many different aspects of foreign policy, some that had a larger impact on the Netherlands like ‘Enhancing Security and Stability,’ and others, like ‘Advancing Inclusive Sustainable Growth’ that directly linked to the interests of Curaçao.
And the other Caribbean countries.
“…I kindly ask that you take a moment and think of the unique position of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with influence and ties to two very distinct regions: Europe and the Caribbean…Think about the potential that we possess to represent a truly international point of view, with two very different historical perspectives and diverging priorities.” (Prime Minister Whiteman, November 2015)
Since today most pressing issues transcend political boundaries, it is clear that within the Kingdom, all of our sails need to point in the same direction, especially when the tides continuously turn. The search for common ground must go on.
As we continue to prepare for a seat in the UN Security Council, and as the dynamic world of international relations continues to transform, the truth remains that the Kingdom of the Netherlands is stronger because of the joint lobby for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council. Reflecting on the lobby, it is clear that developing foreign policy priorities based on common ground will allow the Kingdom of the Netherlands to be a truly dynamic and relatable partner.
Despite the complexities of the Kingdom, the whole proved, once and for all, to be far greater than the sum of its parts.
As the Kingdom of the Netherlands, we remain, your partner for peace, justice and development.
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Photography by Paco Nunez.
