Country Report Curaçao 3rd Quarter 2016

Outlook for 2016-17: International relations

Curaçao has been a self-governing nation (except in matters of defence and judicial policy) since October 2010. The Kingdom of the Netherlands remains responsible for defence, but there is a risk that this will strain the relationship between the two nations. The PS is a strong proponent of full independence for Curaçao. The Kingdom Council of the Netherlands (the Netherlands ministerial executive, which includes former Dutch colonies) will continue to provide technical support and fiscal oversight, but relations could become strained if the PS's view becomes more broadly accepted within the governing coalition. The island's foreign policy will continue to be directed towards achieving a larger role for Curaçao in regional affairs, including developing social and cultural ties with other former colonies of the Netherlands and the implementation of a co-operation agreement signed with Sint Maarten in 2014. The administration will also try to maintain good relations with Venezuela, whose state-owned oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), has leased the island's Isla refinery until 2019. However, relations would be strained were economic and political events in Venezuela to prevent PDVSA from continuing to operate the refinery.

© 2016 The Economist lntelligence Unit Ltd. All rights reserved
Whilst every effort has been taken to verify the accuracy of this information, The Economist lntelligence Unit Ltd. cannot accept any responsibility or liability for reliance by any person on this information
IMPRINT