Netherlands Antilles and the European Union

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[edit] Background

The Netherlands Antilles, previously known as the Netherlands West Indies or Dutch Antilles/West Indies, are part of the Lesser Antilles and consist of two groups of islands in the Caribbean Sea: Curaçao and Bonaire, just off the Venezuelan coast, and Sint Eustatius, Saba and Sint Maarten, located southeast of the Virgin Islands. The islands currently form an autonomous part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands is a member of the European Union. However the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, a separate autonomous part of the Kingdom, are not considered part of the EU, but rather have the status of OCTs (overseas countries and territories). Since citizenship is handled by the kingdom, and not distinguished for the three countries, citizens from all three countries are also EU citizens.

[edit] Referendums

From 2000 to 2005 referendums were held on all islands of the Netherlands Antilles to determine the future of the islands. On June 22, 2000, 68.9% of the voters on Sint Maarten voted for a status aparte (like Aruba has today).[1] On September 10, 2004, Bonaire voted for closer links with the Netherlands. This option received 59.0% of the vote, while status aparte got 24.1%. Staying in the Netherlands Antilles got 15.9% of the vote; independence got less than one percent.[2] On November 5, 2004, 86.05% of the population in Saba also voted for closer links to the Netherlands; remaining a part of the Netherlands Antilles got 13.18% of the vote. Independence got less than one percent of the vote.[3] On April 8, 2005, 68% of people on Curaçao voted for status aparte. Closer ties with the Netherlands got 23% and independence got 5% of the vote.[4] On the same day, 76% of voters on Sint Eustatius voted to remain within the Netherlands Antilles. 20% voted for closer ties with the Netherlands and one percent voted for independence.[4]

Island Vote for closer ties with the Netherlands[3] Vote for remaining within the Netherlands Antilles Vote for status aparte Vote for independence
Sint Maarten - - 68.9% -
Bonaire 59.0% 15.9% 24.1% <1%
Saba 86.05% 13.18% - <1%
Curaçao 23% - 68% 5%
Sint Eustatius 20% 76% - 1%

[edit] Dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles

Map of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Netherlands and the Caribbean islands are in the same scale.
Map of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Netherlands and the Caribbean islands are in the same scale.

In 2004 a commission of the governments of the Netherlands Antilles and the Netherlands reported on a future status for the Netherlands Antilles. The commission advised a revision of the Statute of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in order to dissolve the Netherlands Antilles.

Two new associated states within the Kingdom of the Netherlands would be formed, Curaçao and Sint Maarten. Meanwhile, Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius would become a direct part of the Netherlands as special municipalities (bijzondere gemeente), a form of "public body" (openbaar lichaam) as outlined in article 134 of the Dutch Constitution. These municipalities will resemble ordinary Dutch municipalities in most ways (they will have a mayor, aldermen and a municipal council, for example) and will have to introduce most Dutch law. Residents of these three islands will also be able to vote in Dutch national and European elections. There are, however, some derogations for these islands. Social security, for example, will not be on the same level as it is in the Netherlands, and the islands are not obliged to introduce the euro; they may retain the Antillean guilder pending further negotiations. Also, it is unknown whether prostitution and same-sex marriage will become legal in these islands, which are legal on the mainland of the Netherlands. All five of the island territories may also continue to access the Common Court of Justice of Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles (with the Joint Court probably receiving a new name). The three islands will also have to involve the Dutch Minister of Foreign Relations before they can make agreements with countries in the region.

Originally the term used for Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius to describe their expected association with the Netherlands was "Kingdom Islands" (Koninkrijkseilanden). The Dutch province of North Holland has offered the three new municipalities to officially become part of the province.

Additionally, the Kingdom government would consist of the government of the Netherlands and one mandated minister per Caribbean country. The special municipalities would be represented in the Kingdom Government by the Netherlands, as they can vote for the Dutch parliament.

The Netherlands has proposed that the new EU constitution allows the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba to opt for the status of Outermost Region (OMR) also called Ultra Peripheral Region (UPR), if they wish.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Cahoon, Benjamin M.. Islands of the Netherlands Antilles: Sint Maarten. World Statesmen. Retrieved on 2007-02-02.
  2. ^ Kley, Brigitte. Results Referendum. Bonaire Talk. Retrieved on 2007-02-02.
  3. ^ a b Saba Tourist Bureau. Referendum on the Constitutional Future of Saba 2004. Retrieved on 2007-02-02.
  4. ^ a b van den Berg, Stephanie (2005-04-11). Curacao votes for more autonomy. Caribbean Net News. Retrieved on 2007-02-02.

[edit] See also