The AVP-FUTURO cabinet has sent a formal letter to State Secretary for Kingdom Relations, Zsolt Szabó, urging him to reconsider his recent decision to raise the interest rate on Aruba’s COVID loan. The letter, delivered on Monday morning, signals a shift in approach compared to the governance of the past eight years.
At the heart of the request is the government’s appeal for a reassessment of the decision to increase the interest rate from 5.1% to 6.9%. This increase was outlined in a governance agreement signed by former Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes on June 4th, 2024.
The letter is signed by current Prime Minister Mike Eman, Minister of Kingdom Relations Gerlien Croes, and Minister of Finance Geoffrey Wever. It outlines several procedural and contextual factors that delayed the implementation of the necessary legislation. These delays ultimately made it impossible to meet the original deadline agreed upon with former State Secretary Alexandra van Huffelen.
The Aruban government highlights that some of the necessary advisory processes—such as those from the International Monetary Fund (IMF)—took longer than expected. However, they emphasize that they have been working diligently to finalize the relevant agreements as quickly as possible.
The letter calls on State Secretary Szabó to acknowledge these efforts and the current stage of negotiations, which are now approaching their final phase. The aim, it stresses, is to secure agreements that are mutually beneficial to both Aruba and the Netherlands.
In closing, the government expresses confidence that Szabó will recognize and appreciate the goodwill and significant efforts made by Aruba to reach a fair and sustainable solution. It reiterates Aruba’s commitment to sound public finances, financial independence, and strong ties within the Kingdom—foundations that should lead to a just and acceptable agreement for both parties.
