Prime Minister of Sint Maarten Visits Aruba
ORANJESTAD – Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, Luc Mercelina, arrived in Aruba on January 28 and was welcomed by the Prime Minister of Aruba, Mr. Mike Eman.
Upon his arrival, Prime Minister Mercelina expressed his appreciation for the invitation and emphasized the importance of strengthening friendship and cooperation between the islands of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Prime Minister Eman noted that the visit is not only symbolic, but also an important step toward working together on the shared challenges that small islands face in a dynamic world. He indicated that more than 15 years have passed since Prime Minister Mercelina’s last visit to Aruba and highlighted that the Common Good Conference provides a timely space for reflection and dialogue on a shared future.
Together with Prime Minister Eman, Prime Minister Mercelina reflected on how, in the past, islands often focused on individual survival and demonstrating independence. However, he noted that today’s reality shows that regional collaboration and alliances are essential to addressing global challenges such as climate change, geopolitical shifts, and economic vulnerability, which disproportionately affect small islands.
Prime Minister Mercelina further emphasized that Aruba, Sint Maarten, and other islands in the region are part of the group of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which share common challenges and a strong need to exchange knowledge, experience, and resources to achieve long-term sustainability and resilience.
According to Prime Minister Eman, the Common Good Conference represents a positive step in the right direction, creating a platform to explore what the common good means and how it can be leveraged to improve the quality of life of our people.
In closing, Prime Minister Mercelina invited Prime Minister Eman and Aruba to continue strengthening relations with Sint Maarten, noting that many of Aruba’s achievements have been made possible through cooperation, solidarity, and the contributions of citizens—including those from Sint Maarten—who have been part of Aruba’s history and development.
