PHILIPSBURG:--- The Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte who is also the chairperson of the Kingdom Council of The Netherlands arrived on St. Maarten for a working visit on Thursday. During the first day of the visit, Prime Minister Rutte met with Governor Holiday where he informed him that they (The Netherlands) are very concerned about the integrity of St. Maarten and asked the Governor Holiday to conduct an investigation on this matter. Prime Minister Rutte when addressing members of the media Thursday afternoon said that the Prime Minister of St. Maarten Sarah Wescot Williams has agreed to their request and also decided to ask Transparency International to be part of the investigation regarding integrity on St. Maarten.
Prime Minister Rutte said The Netherlands is very concerned about the financial status of St. Maarten and has also asked that the country get its 2013 budget in order as soon as possible. Another concern for The Netherlands is matters related to justice and this was conveyed to the Governor and Council of Ministers when they met on Thursday. "The Kingdom has a clear overview on the financial status, therefore I made it clear to the Council of Ministers that they need to get the 2013 budget in order. Every effort is now being made to get the budget of 2013 and 2014 regulated. I also conveyed to the Council of Ministers that both I and Ronald Plasterk have asked the Governor to conduct an investigation (inquiry) on issues of integrity on the island of St. Maarten." Another issue the Council of Ministers has promised to look into is the trafficking of persons in which actions have to be taken based on a US State Department Report where they made comments and recommendations on the issue of human trafficking. Prime Minister Rutte said St. Maarten has promised to take all necessary actions based on the US State Department Report. Prime Minister Rutte also confirmed to reporters that the books are closed on the matter of debt relief.
The six members of the Council of Ministers also apprised Prime Minister Rutte of various issues and priorities in their Ministries. Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams told reporters, "Each of the Ministers took the opportunity to apprise the Prime Minister on their priorities and way forward."
Prime Minister Wescot Williams said that the second part of the visit has to do with trade relations between the State and St. Maarten.
Members of the local media waited for quite a long time for the press conference which was scheduled to take place at 3:30pm but was delayed because Prime Minister Rutte was late due to Airline delays. While the local media workers were asked to wait downstairs, the Dutch press was given special preference when they were allowed to take photographs while Prime Minister Rutte was meeting with the Council of Ministers.
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