Evaluation recommends extending border control protocol involving St. Maarten

An evaluation has recommended extending the Protocol for Strengthening Border Control between the Netherlands, St. Maarten, Aruba and Curaçao. State Secretary for Kingdom Relations Eric van der Burg outlined the findings in a letter to the Dutch House of Representatives on Friday 2 October, with the evaluation attached.

The protocol began in 2021 as a seven-year cooperation agreement. Van der Burg said the deployment of Royal Netherlands Marechaussee and Dutch Customs personnel has largely been realised, adding capacity and strengthening cooperation among the services involved. The evaluation also found continuing capacity problems and said unclear, measurable objectives have made it difficult to assess the cooperation’s full impact and make adjustments.

Van der Burg said the findings and recommendations will be included in talks with St. Maarten, Aruba and Curaçao on the protocol’s future. According to the letter, the Dutch House of Representatives is expected to be informed of the outcome before summer 2027.