St. Maarten and Curacao reject participation in OCT vs. UPG status analysis, Dutch State Secretary says

THE HAGUE--Curaçao and St. Maarten have indicated that they do not wish to participate in a Dutch-requested analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of changing from their current Overseas Country and Territory, OCT, status to Outermost Region status within the European Union. Aruba, by contrast, has responded positively to the proposal.

The update was provided in a letter from State Secretary for Kingdom Relations Eric van der Burg to the Dutch House of Representatives ahead of committee debates scheduled for May 27 on the BES islands and May 28 on the Caribbean countries within the Kingdom.

The analysis was requested by the Dutch House through a motion submitted in the summer of 2024 by MPs White of GroenLinks-PvdA and Paternotte of D66. The motion called for an assessment of the possible benefits and disadvantages of OCT status compared to UPG status, the Dutch abbreviation for Ultraperifeer Gebied, known in English as Outermost Region.

According to the update, the motion makes a distinction between the BES islands, Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, and the autonomous countries Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten. Coordination has taken place with both groups. However, the countries are only included in the study if they choose to participate. Aruba has shown interest, while Curaçao and St. Maarten have indicated that they do not want to be involved in the investigation.

The study was originally expected to be sent to the House in early 2025, but was delayed because of the coordination required. Van der Burg informed the House that the analysis is now in its final phase and will be shared before the summer recess.

The issue is significant because OCT and UPG status represent two very different relationships with the European Union.

Under OCT status, a territory is associated with the European Union through a member state, but is not itself part of the EU. This is the current status of the Dutch Caribbean islands within the Kingdom. OCT status allows a degree of access to EU cooperation, funding instruments and trade arrangements, but EU law does not automatically apply in the same way it does within the European Union. The islands maintain greater distance from EU regulation and retain more flexibility in certain policy areas.

Under UPG or Outermost Region status, a territory becomes part of the European Union, even though it is geographically located outside Europe. EU law generally applies, but special measures and exceptions can be made because of permanent constraints such as remoteness, small size, vulnerability to natural disasters, limited economic diversification and dependence on a small number of sectors.

In practical terms, a shift to UPG status could potentially provide wider access to EU funds, stronger integration into EU programs and closer institutional alignment with Europe. However, it could also bring heavier regulatory obligations, more bureaucracy, stricter compliance requirements and less room for local policy flexibility.

The update to the Dutch House makes clear that St. Maarten and Curaçao are not currently seeking to be part of that analysis. Aruba’s positive response means it is open to exploring what such a status change could mean, though participation in the study does not by itself mean any decision has been taken.

The letter also refers to a separate University of Curaçao study connected to European Parliament elections. The university is conducting research among voters into possible barriers they experience when registering to vote or casting their vote in European Parliament elections. Due to early elections for the Dutch House of Representatives at the end of 2025, the investigation into turnout and voter registration for the European Parliament elections in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom has been postponed. The results are expected to be shared with the House in the second half of 2026.

The broader discussion comes at a time when Caribbean countries and territories within the Kingdom continue to weigh the practical value of their relationship with Europe. For St. Maarten, the question is not only legal or constitutional. It touches on access to funding, trade, regulation, democratic participation, local autonomy and the administrative burden that could come with deeper EU integration.

The current position, based on the update to the Dutch House, is that St. Maarten and Curaçao prefer not to participate in the ongoing analysis, while Aruba is willing to examine the issue further. The final study is expected to provide the Dutch House with a clearer comparison of both status options before the summer recess.

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