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Political reform and new constitution in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
Current situation Dutch Antilles
The Dutch Antilles, still consist of the islands Bonaire Curacao, St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius, is a democracy based on underlying rights such as freedom of press and expression, establisment of political parties etc. The country is politically reasonably stable compared with neighbouring islands in the Caribbean. As an autonomous state within the Kingdom of the Netherlands the country is entirely responsible for its internal affairs. Defence and foreign affairs are dealt with at province level within the Kingdom.
Jurisdiction and Country island
The Dutch Antilles have 2 layers of directors: a central government and an island government. The country has its jurisdiction at central level and this includes General Affairs and External Relations, Economics and Labour, Constitutional and internal Affairs, Health and Social Development, Justice, Education and Culture, Finance, Transport, Public Works and Transport.
The various island governments are responsible for matters within the frameworks of the National ordinances such as in the area of economic development, establishment of enterprises, work permits, infrastructure and the (air) port.
Future situation for Bonaire
The Dutch Antilles are now one country, which consists of five islands: Bonaire, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. Referendums in 2004 showed that the West Indies required another structure. The three BES - Islands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba) work towards a new position in the Dutch constitution in 2008 which is very similar to a municipality, as will be defined in the draft version of the Act on public bodies BES islands. The Kingdom of the Netherlands consist at the moment of the countries the Netherlands (Holland), Dutch Antilles and Aruba. On December 15, 2008, Kingdom day, the Dutch Antilles as a country are going to be dissolved, and Curacao and St. Maarten will go down as new autonomous countries (similar to the status of Aruba) and the BES Islands as a public body, a special municipality, of the Netherlands.
Cooperation between the Netherlands and Bonaire
In the agreement of February 2007 (pdf overgangsakkoord February 12, 2007) the basis have been laid for agreements as a result of the final declaration of the Miniconference on the 10th and 11the of October, 2006 (final declaration Mini pdf), the referenda on the BES (2004/2005) the declaration of main agreements of October 2005, the advice of the Council of State dated September 18, 2006 and the frequent governmental consultation in the period thereafter.
Further background information on development cooperation between the Netherlands and Bonaire can be found in the following pdf documents (all in the dutch language):
Program sustainable economic development, administrative support program, program safety plan, evaluation cooperation programmes Part I and Part II.
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