Dutch Caribbean islands Curacao and Sint Maarten become independent countries

Dutch Caribbean islands Curacao and Sint Maarten become independent countries

2010-10-10 13:39:03 GMT+7 (ICT)

AMSTERDAM (BNO NEWS) -- Two Caribbean islands became independent countries on early Sunday morning after the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved, five years after legal proceedings began.

With the end of the Netherlands Antilles, the islands of Curacao and Sint Maarten will continue as independent countries but remain in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Three other islands that were also part of the Netherlands Antilles, Bonaire, Sint Eustatisu and Saba, will continue as special municipalities within the Netherlands.

In Willemstad, the capital of Curacao, celebrations broke out after the flag of the Netherlands Antilles was taken down and replaced with the flag of Curacao. A similar ceremony took place in Sint Maarten and was followed by a fireworks display.

With the dissolved of the Netherlands Antilles, Curacao and Sint Maarten will have more independence in terms of law making and government. The Netherlands, however, will still play a role in their new government as it remains partly responsible for their finances, defense and foreign policy.

In regards to the currency on the islands, Bonaire, Sint Eustatisu and Saba will switch to U.S. dollars to replace the guilder. Curacao and Sint Maarten are expected to introduce a new currency that is linked to the U.S. dollar.

At least for the next few years, the islands will remain as overseas countries and territories (OCT) within the European Union (EU) through their connection with the Kingdom of the Netherlands. After that, the EU may decide to give them another legal status within the union.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-10-10