THE HAGUE–King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will visit the Windward Islands from Thursday, November 30 up to Saturday, December 2. The Royal couple will be accompanied by State Secretary of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Raymond Knops.
The reconstruction after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, as well as Saba Day, are the main points of focus during this visit to all three islands. The visit of the King and Queen will start in St. Eustatius in the afternoon on November 30.
On December 1, the Royal couple will be in Saba to celebrate Saba Day together with the people. Aside from the festivities, there will be attention for the conservation of Saba’s unique nature which was very much affected by the recent hurricanes.
The King and Queen will visit St. Maarten on December 2. Needless to say that this visit will focus on the island’s reconstruction after the devastating Hurricane Irma. This will be the King’s second visit after the hurricane: a few days after he came to the island, together with then Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk. At that time, the King said that he was shocked by the devastation and he promised help for St. Maarten.
State Secretary Knops will arrive in the Windward Islands a few days ahead of the Royal couple. He will be in St. Maarten on Monday, November 27, visit Saba in the afternoon on Tuesday, November 28, followed by St. Eustatius on Wednesday, November 29. In the second part of his programme, he will accompany the King and Queen on their visit to all three islands.
During his own programme in the first three days of his visit, the State Secretary will have introductory meetings with the local government officials. He will also meet with representatives of the private sector and the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) on all three islands.
Main theme during this introductory visit will be the reconstruction which will be realised with Dutch aid. The Dutch Government has committed 550 million euro to assist with St. Maarten’s reconstruction until 2021. For St. Eustatius and Saba a separate amount of 67 million euro has been made available.
While on the islands, Knops will visit several organisations and institutions.
The State Secretary said in a press release on Thursday that he was looking forward to his first official visit to the Windward Islands since his appointment on October 26. “I want to see with my own eyes how the situation is for the people of St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba.”
The Dutch Government immediately initiated emergency assistance after Hurricane Irma, with the input of Aruba and Curaçao, as well as other countries like France and Germany which assisted with the air transport of relief supplies. “We have now reserved the funds for the reconstruction. We quickly need to get to work,” he said.
Bron: Daily Herald