On Friday March 6, Minister Plenipotentiary Arrindell represented Sint Maarten during the first meeting of the Kingdom Council of Ministers (Rijksministerraad) under the newly sworn-in Dutch Cabinet. The meeting also marked several firsts within the Kingdom. Errold Bishop participated for the first time as Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary of Curaçao, while Mildred Schwengle attended her first meeting as the newly appointed Minister Plenipotentiary of Aruba in the Netherlands. The Kingdom Council of Ministers brings together the Dutch Cabinet and the Ministers Plenipotentiary of Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten to discuss matters affecting the Kingdom as a whole, including international relations, [...]

Minister Plenipotentiary Arrindell attended a farewell ceremony for the former Dutch Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations Frank Rijkaart and former Dutch State Secretary for Digitalization and Kingdom Relations Eddie van Marum. As a gesture of appreciation for their cooperation and their engagement with Sint Maarten and the wider Caribbean part of the Kingdom, Arrindell presented both dignitaries with copies of the booklet ‘Salt Reapers’: the story of the Salt Industry on Sint Maarten. By sharing the publication, Arrindell underscored the value of sharing Sint Maarten’s heritage and history with partners in the Kingdom. “I appreciated the Minister and [...]

On February 20, Minister Plenipotentiary Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell held a digital meeting with Dr. Julia Dahlvik, sociologist and researcher at the University of Applied Sciences FH Campus Vienna. The conversation focused on the history and establishment of the Ombudsman institution in Sint Maarten. Drawing on her experience as a former Island Council Member, Minister Arrindell reflected on the early discussions, motivations and legislative developments that led to the creation of the Ombudsman. Dr. Dahlvik is currently leading a comparative research project examining access to administrative justice and the role of ombud institutions across different jurisdictions. Sint Maarten forms [...]

The Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary recently held a productive online meeting with the Honourable Minister of Education, Melissa Gumbs. The meeting focused on advancing key initiatives aimed at improving services and opportunities for students of Sint Maarten both locally and abroad. Among the primary topics discussed were updates on ongoing projects, including the diaspora and student Data bank and roll out of a new engagement campaign designed to strengthen connectivity with our students. Additional agenda points included: Enhancement of student information systems across the Cabinets social media platforms. Including structured cooperation with third -party stakeholders; Planned personal outreach [...]

On Tuesday 24 February, Minister Plenipotentiary drs. Gracita R. Arrindell, took part in the first introductory meeting between State Secretary Eric van der Burg and the Prime Ministers of the Caribbean countries of the Kingdom: Prime Minister Luc Mercelina (Sint Maarten), Gilmar Pisas (Curaçao) and Mike Eman (Aruba). The meeting marked an important moment of dialogue and renewed cooperation within the Kingdom. Minister Arrindell also engaged in consultations alongside representatives of the Cabinets of Aruba and Curaçao. Strengthening mutual understanding, maintaining open lines of communication, and working together on shared priorities remain central to Sint Maarten’s commitment within the [...]