News item | 10-11-2023 | 15:46
Alexandra van Huffelen, State Secretary for Kingdom Relations and Digitalization, will visit Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius from November 12 to 17.
An important part of the working visit is the recording of the administrative agreements with Saba and St. Eustatius: the Saba Package and St. Eustatius Agreement. Discussions will take place with the new executive council on Bonaire during this working visit in preparation for an administrative agreement to be signed later.
The State Secretary is also responsible for the Caribbean Netherlands policy agenda. The policy agenda has been drawn up to make affordable housing possible for more people. On Bonaire she therefore speaks with the housing association Fundashon Cas Bonairiano and visits a construction site in Hato, where social housing is being built. Furthermore, visits to small entrepreneurs and to MBO are on the program on Bonaire. She talks to students about studying and living on Bonaire.
On Saba, the State Secretary signs a Letter of Intent, which contains agreements about, among other things, the construction of affordable housing on the island. Other signatories are the Public Entity Saba, housing association Bazalt Wonen and the Own Your Own Home Foundation. A visit to the construction site of the new port and discussions with small entrepreneurs are also on the agenda on Saba.
The working visit ends on St. Eustatius. The State Secretary celebrates here on November 16 Statia Day along with the inhabitants of the island. At 6 a.m. she will attend the flag ceremony and give a speech on the occasion of the 247ste First Salute.
The State Secretary also speaks with the Island Council and the Executive Council. She also visits the Common Court of Justice, Sint Eustatius branch, where she meets with the President of the Court. Finally, she will look at renovated social housing that is made more sustainable by installing solar panels.