PM Mercelina supported by colleague PMs to proceed to the Netherlands

GREAT BAY--Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina will be travelling to the Netherlands from December 6–13, 2025, as part of a previously scheduled working visit that remains a strategic priority for St. Maarten.

The importance of this mission has increased following a meeting held this afternoon with the Prime Ministers of Curaçao Gilmar Pisas and the Prime Minister of Aruba Mike Eman. During that consultation, and considering some of the high level discussions that all three was supposed to be in, Prime Minister Mercelina received the support from his colleagues to represent all three Prime Ministers in the Netherlands, ensuring that he is present on the ground to receive first-hand information regarding ongoing developments between the United States and Venezuela.

PM Pisas and PM Eman have chosen to remain at home as the situation is geographically and operationally much more sensitive for Curacao and Aruba respectively. “Given the evolving landscape in our region, St. Maarten must remain actively engaged at the highest diplomatic levels. My presence in the Netherlands is essential to ensure that our country’s security, safety, perspectives and priorities are clearly represented,” stated Prime Minister Mercelina; hence my scheduled meeting with the Prime Minister of The Netherlands Mr. Dick Schoof coming Monday December 8, 2025.

The working visit also follows earlier bilateral discussions in New York with Kingdom partners, where cooperation, preparedness, and international developments were among the main topics. Reflecting on the broader regional dynamic, the Prime Minister added, “Considering Aruba and Curaçao’s geographical proximity to areas of heightened concern, it is understandable that my colleagues may face constraints in attending certain sessions in person. Their continued participation through official representatives allows our shared work to continue effectively and cohesively.”

During the visit, Prime Minister Mercelina will take part in a full program of strategic engagements, including consultations with the Minister Plenipotentiary in The Hague discussions with the VNG, and other high-level multilateral meetings. He also intends to meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Mr. van Weel, to address international matters and developments relevant to the Kingdom and matters concerning the ongoing tension in the Caribbean.

In addition to these governmental engagements, the Prime Minister will participate in the Inter-Expo conference in The Hague, which will focus on the future prospects of the Kingdom of the Netherlands 15 years after 10/10/10. During this three-day conference, he will contribute to panel discussions alongside regional leaders and experts, including former Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende en Mr. Ernst Hirsch Ballin. He will also deliver a keynote address focusing on the constitutional autonomy.

The Government of St. Maarten will continue to provide updates as the Prime Minister’s working visit progresses.

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