14 (2024) Nr. 1

A. TITEL

Verdrag tussen het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden, ten behoeve van Curaçao, en de Caribische Gemeenschap tot vaststelling van de voorwaarden voor het verlenen aan Curaçao van de status van geassocieerd lid van de Caribische Gemeenschap;

Grand Anse, 28 juli 2024

Voor een overzicht van de verdragsgegevens, zie verdragsnummer 014098 in de Verdragenbank.

B. TEKST


Agreement between the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of Curaçao, and the Caribbean Community, defining the terms and conditions for granting Curaçao the status of associate member of the Caribbean Community

The Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of Curaçao (hereinafter called “Curaçao”) and the Caribbean Community (hereinafter called “CARICOM”) (collectively referred to as “the Parties”);

Having regard to Article 231 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas Establishing the Caribbean Community including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (hereinafter called the “Revised Treaty”), which provides for the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM to admit any Caribbean State or Territory to associate membership of CARICOM on such terms and conditions as the Conference thinks fit;

Bearing in mind the existing and the possible further involvement of Curaçao in areas of functional co-operation with CARICOM;

Recognising that Article 28 of the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands provides the possibility for Curaçao to obtain Associate Membership of CARICOM;

Hereby agree as follows:

Article I Terms and Conditions

Curaçao shall, in accordance with the decision of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM taken at its Thirty-Eighth Inter-Sessional Meeting held in Caucus on 4 June 2024 be granted the status of an Associate Member of CARICOM subject to the following terms and conditions:

  • i) the right of attendance by Curaçao at Meetings of the Conference of Heads of Government and the Community Council of Ministers;

  • ii) the right of participation (without the right to vote) in the deliberations of the Organs and Bodies of the Community, with the exception of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations, in order to promote the interests of Curaçao in specific programmes and measures, including the right to propose programmes and measures or the modification of programmes and measures as well as to share in the benefits of appropriate CARICOM regional programmes and measures which fall within Curaçao’s autonomous authority and affect Curaçao directly, whether proposed by Curaçao or not. It is mutually agreed and understood that Curaçao will not participate in the discussions relating to Foreign Policy issues in any other Organ of the Community;

  • iii) acceptance by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of Curaçao, of the provisions of the Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the Caribbean Community, and other relevant CARICOM instruments; and enactment of national legislation necessary for conferring the required status of an Associate Member of CARICOM in its national jurisdiction;

  • iv) acceptance by Curaçao of the CARICOM laissez-passer;

  • v) pursuant to the relevant provisions of the Revised Treaty, decisions of the concerned Organs and Bodies would continue to be based on the action of the Member States of CARICOM;

  • vi) the required quorum for meetings of the concerned Organs and Bodies of CARICOM would continue to be determined based on the representation of the Member States of CARICOM;

  • vii) the right of the nationals of the Kingdom of the Netherlands with permanent residence in Curaçao to apply for vacant posts in the CARICOM Secretariat;

  • viii) the right to access official communications and information;

  • ix) the right to access services of the Secretariat;

  • x) the right to participate in fora established to provide for technical consultation and cooperation in the Caribbean Region;

  • xi) the right to participate in CARICOM arrangements such as the Advanced Passenger Information Service (APIS);

  • xii) payment of an appropriate contribution to the budget of the CARICOM Secretariat; and

  • xiii) enhanced trade relations.

Article II Applicability of the Agreement

As regards the Kingdom of the Netherlands, this Agreement shall apply to Curaçao only.

Article III Entry into force

This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date of the written notification, through diplomatic channels, by which the Parties shall have notified each other that all necessary internal procedures for entry into force of this Agreement have been completed.

Article IV Termination

  • 1. The Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of Curaçao, may, at any time, give a six (6)-month’s written notice in advance through diplomatic channels to the Secretary-General of CARICOM of its decision to terminate the Associate Membership.

  • 2. Upon termination of the Associate Membership, the provisions of the Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the Caribbean Community, and other relevant CARICOM instruments, shall cease to apply to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of Curaçao.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorised, have signed this Agreement.

DONE at Grand Anse Grenada on this 28th day of July 2024, in duplicate in the English language.

For the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of Curacao, G.S. PISAS Prime Minister of Curaçao

For the Caribbean Community, D.A.T. MITCHELL Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government

D. PARLEMENT

Het Verdrag, met Bijlage, behoeft ingevolge artikel 91 van de Grondwet de goedkeuring van de Staten-Generaal, alvorens het Koninkrijk aan het Verdrag kan worden gebonden.

G. INWERKINGTREDING

De bepalingen van het Verdrag zullen ingevolge artikel III van het Verdrag in werking treden op de eerste dag van de tweede maand na de datum van de laatste schriftelijke kennisgeving langs diplomatieke weg, waarin de partijen elkaar ervan in kennis hebben gesteld dat de interne procedures die vereist zijn voor de inwerkingtreding van het Verdrag zijn voltooid.

Uitgegeven de tweede augustus 2024.

De Minister van Buitenlandse Zaken, C.C.J. VELDKAMP

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