CARICOM and the Netherlands on Wednesday renewed a mechanism for diplomatic cooperation with the accreditation of a new Dutch envoy to the regional body, Ambassador Jules Bijl.
In a ceremony at the CARICOM Secretariat on 18 January 2017, CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, said the Community was keen to learn more of the Netherland’s experiences in a range of areas.
According to a release from the Secretariat, Bijl in his remarks outlined areas in which the Kingdom of the Netherlands hoped to expand its cooperation. They include climate change, disaster risk management, security, sustainable development and employment.
LaRocque underlined the importance of access to development finance in pursuit of the 2030 Development Agenda and Paris Climate Change Agreement.
Considering how vulnerability negatively impacts sustainable growth and prosperity, he told Bijl that CARICOM countries will continue to decry being labelled as non-cooperative tax jurisdictions.
“Ambassador, there is documented proof, including by the relevant globally recognized institutions, of our efforts and successes in respecting the onerous regulatory obligations that govern the financial services sector.”
“We have grave concerns over the disturbing trend of international banks withdrawing correspondent banking services. This is negatively affecting our ability to conduct international financial transactions and, by extension, trade and remittances for our people,” LaRocque stated.
Bijl expressed appreciation for the Region’s support of the Netherlands’ successful candidacy of a temporary seat in the United Nations Security Council.
Noting that the Kingdom viewed CARICOM as a platform to fulfil its promises to the Region, he said the Netherlands could also be an advocate for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to the UN.
“Our Kingdom’s SIDS make us realise how vulnerable we are in the Caribbean,” Mr. Bijl stated.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands include the islands of Curacao, Aruba, Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius and Saba which are in the Caribbean Sea. Curacao, Aruba and Sint Maarten have applied for Associate Membership of the Caribbean Community. These applications are being actively considered, the release said.
Bijl said the Kingdom strongly supported the applications for Associated Membership to CARICOM.
“We would be very happy to contribute very soon, actively to CARICOM,” he stated.
