Kingdom of the Netherlands

The Kingdom of the Netherlands (Dutch: Koninkrijk der Nederlanden) currently consists of the three constituent parts: the mainland European Netherlands (Dutch: Nederland), Netherlands Antilles (Dutch: Nederlandse Antillen) and Aruba. Prior to 1975, Suriname (formerly known as Dutch Guiana) was also part of the kingdom. Before 1954, the "Kingdom of the Netherlands" referred to the Netherlands and its colonial possessions. Before 1830 (formally, 1839) the United Kingdom of the Netherlands also included Belgium.

Future status

A joint commission on behalf of the governments of the Netherlands and the Netherlands Antilles proposed a new structure, in which the kingdom would get its own staff. It would consist of four countries, the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten, as well as three Kingdom Islands (Koninkrijkseilanden): Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius. The Caribbean countries would be self-governing, the Kingdom Islands would have a more direct relation with the Netherlands.

Related Topics:
Netherlands - Aruba - Curaçao - Sint Maarten - Bonaire - Saba - Sint Eustatius

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The Kingdom Government would consist of the government of the Netherlands and per Caribbean country one mandated minister. The Kingdom Islands would be represented in the Kingdom Government by the Netherlands.

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The Netherlands has proposed that the new EU constitution allows the NA and Aruba to get OMR-status (Outermost Region, also called Ultra Peripheral Region or UPR), or in Dutch: UPG-status (Ultraperifere gebieden), if and when they wish.

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