Aruba Hosts High-Level EU Sanctions Training for Government Agencies

The training, organized by DBB and implemented by the European University Institute (EUI), brings together legal and EU experts as well as compliance professionals to strengthen Aruba’s institutional capacity to comply with international sanctions regimes.

Prime Minister Mike Eman delivered opening remarks and officially inaugurated the seminar. The Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Sra. Jocelyne Croes, welcomed the trainers to Aruba and thanked participants for their commitment.

This initiative forms part of a broader effort to ensure that Aruba remains prepared and resilient in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. As part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Aruba has a constitutional and legal obligation to uphold the international legal order, including the effective implementation of European Union sanctions.

The EUI, through its Florence School of Transnational Governance, is globally recognized for its expertise in sanctions policy, legal frameworks, and enforcement mechanisms. The program equips participants with analytical and practical tools to understand the political, legal, and economic dimensions of sanctions. It places particular emphasis on the European Union’s restrictive measures in response to global crises such as the war in Ukraine.

The training is aimed at officials from Aruba’s ministries and institutions, including the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Public Prosecution Service (OM), the Department of Finance, the Central Bank of Aruba, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU Aruba), the Department of Civil Aviation, the Department of Shipping, and the Department of Customs.

Topics covered include:

• The purpose, impact, and limitations of sanctions;
• EU decision-making and legal enforcement mechanisms;
• Judicial review and procedural rights;
• Compliance strategies and measures to prevent sanctions evasion.

In today’s global environment, sanctions are no longer exceptional tools—they have become central instruments of international governance. Amid growing geopolitical tensions and an expanding sanctions regime, it is essential that Aruba’s institutions are equipped to respond effectively, ensuring legal compliance and maintaining financial integrity.

This initiative reflects Aruba’s proactive approach to strengthening its legal and political frameworks and its commitment to remaining a responsible and reliable partner within the Kingdom and the international community.

The Department of Foreign Affairs extends its gratitude to the Central Bank of Aruba and FIU Aruba for their generous support and partnership in making this training possible. Their dedication to institutional preparedness and legal integrity reflects Aruba’s ongoing commitment to global cooperation.

For more information about the EUI sanctions training program, visit: EUI – Making Sanctions Work. https://exed.eui.eu/ente mundial di awendia, sancionnan no ta hermentnan excepcional mas, nan ta instrumento central den gobernacion  internacional. Cu tension geopolitico creciendo y regimen di sancionnan ampliando, ta esencial cu institucionnan di Aruba ta prepara pa responde eficazmente pa garantisa cumplimento legal y mantene integridad financiero.

E iniciativa aki ta refleha un postura proactivo di Aruba pa fortelece su marco legal y politico y su compromiso pa keda un socio responsabel y confiabel tanto den Reino como den e comunidad internacional.

Departamento di Relacionnan Exterior ta extende su gratitud na Banco Central di Aruba y FIU Aruba pa nan sosten y partnership generoso pa haci e training aki posibel. Nan dedicacion na preparacion institucional y integridad huridico ta refleha e compromiso di Aruba den cooperacion global.

Pa mas informacion tocante e programa di training riba sancionnan di EUI, bishita: EUI – Making Sanctions Work.