THE HAGUE–Dutch Minister of Justice and Security Ferd Grapperhaus is positive that concrete agreements regarding law enforcement will be reached between the four countries in the Kingdom during the four-country judicial consultation JVO in Bonaire on Tuesday.
“I think that on Tuesday during the JVO we will be able to arrive at further agreements on the Kingdom Detective Cooperation Team, the RST. A whole new future-oriented cooperation has been drafted for this organisation,” Grapperhaus told The Daily Herald on Friday after the weekly Dutch Council of Ministers meeting.
As for a possible extension of the presence of the Dutch National Police in St. Maarten and the assistance of personnel of the Judicial Institutions Service DJI at the Pointe Blanche prison, the minister could not give a definite answer as yet. “We are engaged in positive talks with the St. Maarten government on this matter. But if you make agreements, it has to truly come from both sides,” he said.
Regarding the JVO in Bonaire, he said he was hopeful that further agreements could be reached on law enforcement in general. The JVO agenda also includes the strengthening of the RST and the joint tackling of border-crossing crime.
According to Grapperhaus, the consultation between the Netherlands, Curaçao, Aruba and St. Maarten is important to further expand the existing cooperation where necessary, in a new, innovative manner. “I consider this consultation that takes place twice per year very constructive,” he said.
Present at the JVO will be Grapperhaus’ colleagues of Quincy Girigorie of Curaçao, Andin Bikker of Aruba and Cornelius de Weever of St. Maarten.
Grapperhaus leaves for Bonaire on Sunday. He will have bilateral talks on Monday and returns to the Netherlands Tuesday evening.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/78587-grapperhaus-to-bonaire-to-meet-justice-colleagues
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