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13 February 2007
AMSTERDAM – The Netherlands Antilles will cease to exist as such next year. It was agreed earlier that the islands would receive a new status this summer, but this has been postponed until 2008.
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba will become Dutch municipalities and Sint Maarten will be a separate country within the Kingdom.
Minister for Kingdom Relations Atzo Nicolaï reached agreements in the Antilles on the subdivision. Agreements still have to be made with Curacao, but it is likely this island will be granted country status like Sint Maarten.
The Netherlands is giving a half billion euro to the Antilles. Most of the money will be used to pay off debt.
[Copyright Expatica + ANP 2007]
Subject: Dutch news