Dutch MP asks why St. Maarten sat out EU study while French side holds UPG status

THE HAGUE--The VVD has questioned why St. Maarten did not participate in a University of Curaçao study examining the advantages and disadvantages of different relationships between the Caribbean islands and the European Union, pointing specifically to the fact that the French side of the island already operates under a different EU status.

During a committee debate in the Dutch Parliament on Tuesday, VVD MP Renate Den Hollander said St. Maarten’s absence from the study was particularly puzzling because neighbouring Saint-Martin has UPG, or Outermost Region, status. She argued that the unusual situation of one island being divided between two jurisdictions with different relationships to the European Union makes St. Maarten an especially relevant place to examine what a change in status could mean.

The Dutch side of the island currently has LGO status, known in English as Overseas Country and Territory status. Under that arrangement, St. Maarten is associated with the European Union but is not part of the EU itself. By contrast, French Saint-Martin is an Outermost Region of the European Union and is more directly integrated into the European legal and institutional framework.

The University of Curaçao study examined the advantages and disadvantages associated with the two arrangements and the possible consequences of moving from LGO to UPG status.

The distinction became one of the central themes of Tuesday’s debate, with MPs examining whether closer integration with Europe could provide greater access to EU funding and programs, while also requiring substantially more European legislation, regulation, oversight and administrative capacity.

Responding to questions from Parliament, State Secretary for the Interior and Kingdom Relations Van der Burg confirmed that Curaçao and St. Maarten had both declined to participate in the University of Curaçao research, although the countries approached the issue differently.

Van der Burg said Curaçao informed the Netherlands that the subject had already been sufficiently researched and that it did not believe another study was necessary. In the case of St. Maarten, however, he said the Dutch government had received no explanation for the decision not to participate. Aruba did participate in the study.

The State Secretary also drew a clear distinction between the authority of the Netherlands over the Caribbean Netherlands and its relationship with St. Maarten, Curaçao and Aruba.

He said that when it comes to a possible transition from LGO to UPG status for St. Maarten, Aruba or Curaçao, the countries themselves would have to take the initiative. As autonomous countries within the Kingdom, the Netherlands cannot decide for them whether they should seek a different relationship with the European Union.

That differs from Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, where the Dutch government and Parliament would have a direct role in considering a possible change in EU status.

Van der Burg said a broader Dutch government response to the University of Curaçao study will follow later this year. In terms of decisions that fall directly within the Dutch government’s authority, however, he made clear that the upcoming assessment will focus primarily on Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba.

The discussion nevertheless kept returning to the wider question of what closer European integration could mean for all six Caribbean islands.

Van der Burg acknowledged that UPG status could produce advantages. He explained that such a change would place an island much more firmly within the European framework, making its position comparable in important respects to French Saint-Martin. At the same time, he stressed that closer integration also means having to comply with a much larger body of European rules.

That requirement raised another major concern throughout the debate: administrative capacity.

MPs repeatedly questioned whether small island administrations already struggling with shortages of personnel and specialist expertise would have the capacity to implement additional European legislation, prepare EU-funded projects, manage applications and meet reporting and accountability requirements.

Van der Burg acknowledged that this is already a problem under the existing arrangements. He said European procedures are complicated and that limited administrative capacity on the islands makes it more difficult to take full advantage of available European funding. He also said additional assistance would be needed to help the islands obtain more from the EU opportunities already available to them.

The issue is particularly relevant because the European Union is currently discussing its next Multiannual Financial Framework, with potentially greater resources available for overseas countries and territories. Dutch MPs broadly welcomed the possibility of additional funding but questioned whether more money on paper would translate into more projects if island governments lack the personnel and institutional capacity required to access it.

Van der Burg indicated that the Netherlands intends to push for Caribbean interests in Brussels and said the objective is to connect priorities identified by the islands with European funding opportunities. Areas that have already featured in discussions include connectivity, maritime links, waste management, port capacity, sargassum and energy.

He also said that when representing Kingdom interests in Brussels, he considers his role broader than simply advocating for Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba. While St. Maarten, Curaçao and Aruba are free to pursue their own interests directly with Europe, Van der Burg said he also seeks to represent the interests of all six Caribbean islands.

‍