Agreement between the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of Curaçao, and the Caribbean
Community, defining the terms and conditions for granting Curaçao the status of associate
member of the Caribbean Community
[Treedt in werking op een nader te bepalen tijdstip]
The Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of Curaçao (hereinafter called “Curaçao”)
and the Caribbean Community (hereinafter called “CARICOM”) (collectively referred
to as “the Parties”);
Having regard to Article 231 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas Establishing the
Caribbean Community including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (hereinafter called
the “Revised Treaty”), which provides for the Conference of Heads of Government of
CARICOM to admit any Caribbean State or Territory to associate membership of CARICOM
on such terms and conditions as the Conference thinks fit;
Bearing in mind the existing and the possible further involvement of Curaçao in areas
of functional co-operation with CARICOM;
Recognising that Article 28 of the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands provides
the possibility for Curaçao to obtain Associate Membership of CARICOM;
Article I. Terms and Conditions
[Treedt in werking op een nader te bepalen tijdstip]
Curaçao shall, in accordance with the decision of the Conference of Heads of Government
of CARICOM taken at its Thirty-Eighth Inter-Sessional Meeting held in Caucus on 4 June
2024 be granted the status of an Associate Member of CARICOM subject to the following
terms and conditions:
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i) the right of attendance by Curaçao at Meetings of the Conference of Heads of Government
and the Community Council of Ministers;
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ii) the right of participation (without the right to vote) in the deliberations of the
Organs and Bodies of the Community, with the exception of the Council for Foreign
and Community Relations, in order to promote the interests of Curaçao in specific
programmes and measures, including the right to propose programmes and measures or
the modification of programmes and measures as well as to share in the benefits of
appropriate CARICOM regional programmes and measures which fall within Curaçao’s autonomous
authority and affect Curaçao directly, whether proposed by Curaçao or not. It is mutually
agreed and understood that Curaçao will not participate in the discussions relating
to Foreign Policy issues in any other Organ of the Community;
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iii) acceptance by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of Curaçao, of the provisions
of the Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the Caribbean Community, and other
relevant CARICOM instruments; and enactment of national legislation necessary for
conferring the required status of an Associate Member of CARICOM in its national jurisdiction;
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iv) acceptance by Curaçao of the CARICOM laissez-passer;
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v) pursuant to the relevant provisions of the Revised Treaty, decisions of the concerned
Organs and Bodies would continue to be based on the action of the Member States of
CARICOM;
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vi) the required quorum for meetings of the concerned Organs and Bodies of CARICOM would
continue to be determined based on the representation of the Member States of CARICOM;
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vii) the right of the nationals of the Kingdom of the Netherlands with permanent residence
in Curaçao to apply for vacant posts in the CARICOM Secretariat;
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viii) the right to access official communications and information;
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ix) the right to access services of the Secretariat;
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x) the right to participate in fora established to provide for technical consultation
and cooperation in the Caribbean Region;
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xi) the right to participate in CARICOM arrangements such as the Advanced Passenger Information
Service (APIS);
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xii) payment of an appropriate contribution to the budget of the CARICOM Secretariat; and
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xiii) enhanced trade relations.
Article II. Applicability of the Agreement
[Treedt in werking op een nader te bepalen tijdstip]
As regards the Kingdom of the Netherlands, this Agreement shall apply to Curaçao only.
Article III. Entry into force
[Treedt in werking op een nader te bepalen tijdstip]
This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following
the date of the written notification, through diplomatic channels, by which the Parties
shall have notified each other that all necessary internal procedures for entry into
force of this Agreement have been completed.
Article IV. Termination
[Treedt in werking op een nader te bepalen tijdstip]
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1 The Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of Curaçao, may, at any time, give a six
(6)-month’s written notice in advance through diplomatic channels to the Secretary-General
of CARICOM of its decision to terminate the Associate Membership.
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2 Upon termination of the Associate Membership, the provisions of the Protocol on the
Privileges and Immunities of the Caribbean Community, and other relevant CARICOM instruments,
shall cease to apply to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of Curaçao.
