On January 1, 1986, Aruba gained its separate status from the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The kingdom once again consists of three countries, namely the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. In that year, Aruba was separated from the constellation of Antiochus, making it the third country in the kingdom. With its separate status, Aruba has its own people’s representative, the Parliament of Aruba and its own governor. Parliament has its president. The government of Aruba consists of ministers and governors.
In 1990 the Minister of Netherlands Antilles and Aruban Affairs, Hirsch Ballin, in his document “Schets voor een “local best construcion”, stated that Aruba should not become independent again in 1996. The Netherlands Antilles was eagerly seeking a new constellation after the Status Aparte of Aruba. The islands were unable to reach an agreement that satisfied each island. Since that time there has been much discussion as to how the Kingdom of the Netherlands should continue.
In 2004 the political outlook changed again. The islands wanted to secede and held referendums in 2004 and 2005. Curacao and Sint Maarten have opted for separate status. Both Bonaire and Saba wished to have close ties with the Netherlands. St. Eustatius wanted to keep Antioch fifth but eventually opted instead for direct links with the Netherlands.
On 2 November 2006 the final declaration was signed between the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles, Curaçao and Sint Maarten. The agreement stipulates that the Netherlands will take 80 percent of the debts of the Netherlands Antilles (about 2.4 billion euros). Thus the islands of the Netherlands Antilles, each on their own, can begin a new relationship with the Netherlands. The islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba will become a separate municipality of the Netherlands. Sint Maarten and Curaçao want an autonomous relationship with the Netherlands. This process of state renewal was delayed considerably by the rejection of the “final declaration” by the Island Council of Curaçao. The agreement sets out the Dutch Government’s position on the financial and judicial matters of Sint Maarten and Curaçao. This was unacceptable to Curaçao politicians.