ORANJESTAD, WILLEMSTAD – Aruban Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes questions Friday’s decision by the Kingdom Council of Ministers to give Curaçao a budgetary instruction. “When will The Hague start realising that this way of working solves nothing,” she said on her Facebook page.

There was also a direct message for the government and people of the neighbouring Dutch Caribbean country: “Don’t allow this to discourage you. Keep strongly seeking progress. Our islands are confronted with enormous challenges. Not everyone understands that. But with confidence and positivism we will overcome all obstacles and surprise them. God bless Aruba and Curaçao.”

Curaçao has filed a so-called Crown Appeal against the decision, arguing that the deficits are mostly due to the crisis in Venezuela and its devastating impact on the Isla oil refinery and related industries, shipping and the local economy in general. Unemployment has risen to more than 20 per cent.

Wever-Croes said concern that a similar measure awaits Aruba because Parliament changed the National Ordinance Financial Supervision and removed references to the kingdom is unfounded. The amendments were based on objections of Aruba’s Council of Advice and government is complying with the budget norms as agreed with the Netherlands, she assured.