Pieters criticizes lack of clarity on Landspakket while HOFA receives priority

ORANJESTAD — PPA parliamentary leader Eduard Pieters has criticized the Dutch government for failing to provide clarity on the future of Aruba’s Landspakket, while, he says, considerable time and political energy continue to be invested in the proposed HOFA Kingdom Act.

Pieters reacted after a debate in the Dutch Parliament in which the State Secretary for Kingdom Relations did not give a concrete answer on what will happen when the current Landspakket period ends.

According to Pieters, Aruba has expressed an interest in continuing the reform process and the cooperation has received a positive evaluation. He therefore questions why there is still no clear direction for its continuation.

Pieters stressed that the Landspakket should remain a cooperative instrument in which Aruba determines which reforms are necessary for its own development, rather than a system in which the Netherlands dictates policy unilaterally.

He contrasts this with the proposed HOFA Kingdom Act, which he argues directly affects Aruba’s autonomy and constitutional position. Pieters is calling on the Dutch Parliament to demand clarity and says Kingdom relations should be based on mutual respect, transparency and cooperation.