Netherlands Signs Transport Agreements With Overseas Territories

by Ulrika Lomas, Tax-News.com, Brussels

09 July 2010

Dutch Minister for Transport, Camiel Eurlings has announced the signing of agreements with the Netherlands’ overseas territories, Aruba and Curaçao to enhance cooperation in the field of air and marine transport.

The Netherlands, Curaçao and Aruba already work closely on various areas regarding aviation and maritime affairs. Now, under the new agreement, the government said that all important, relevant matters relating to aviation and maritime affairs would be dealt with on a cooperative trilateral basis. In particular, this new cooperation will be evident in the application of safety and security standards relating to the two industries, to ensure that the territories comply fully with international best practices.

Eurlings said that the agreements will benefit all of its overseas territories as aviation and shipping are crucial for economic development. Speaking in Aruba, he said: “We want to promote [the two industries] and at the same time establish high standards in order for the services to be top of the line.”

In addition to improving the islands’ aviation and marine offerings, the agreements will apply a uniform application of standard procedures on travelers within the Dutch Kingdom. This will include the three islands, Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius, soon to be special municipalities of the Netherlands. Under the terms of the agreement, Netherlands Antilles Air Traffic Control (NAATC) will provide assistance to the air traffic control system for these islands with the financial backing of the Netherlands.

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