Dutch state secretary to visit three Caribbean islands for Statia Day and summit

Dutch State Secretary Eric van der Burg will visit Saba, Sint Maarten and Sint Eustatius from 12 to 18 November, with Statia Day commemorations and a summit of the four Kingdom governments among the main events. King Willem-Alexander and Prime Minister Rob Jetten are also due to attend the Statia Day celebrations.

The visit begins on Saba, where Van der Burg is scheduled to meet the island’s governing council and youth council, and visit the site of a new harbour and a farm working to strengthen food security. On Sint Maarten, his programme includes meetings with Governor Baly and Prime Minister Luc Mercelina, and visits focused on tourism and social development projects.

On Sint Eustatius, Van der Burg will attend Statia Day and accompany the King during a two-day programme. A ceremony on 16 November will mark the 250th anniversary of the United States’ first international recognition as an independent nation, which the Dutch government says took place on the island. The programme also includes visits to heritage sites and the opening of a museum at Fort Oranje, with a focus on the history of slavery.

The visit ends on Sint Maarten with the Kingdom Summit on 17 and 18 November. The meeting brings together the governments of the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten to discuss strengthening cooperation.