Aruba, Netherlands agree to balanced budget deal

On Saturday the Netherlands and Aruba reached an agreement that aims at achieving a sustainable balanced budget for the island, the Dutch government announced on Monday. This agreement should put an end to the long ongoing discussion and conflict surrounding the island's budget. From August 1st, there will be a College Aruba Financial Supervision, consisting of one member on behalf of the kingdom, one member representing the Netherlands and one member representing Aruba. This college will provide independent supervision on previously established and agreed upon standards. Once the island has achieved a sustainable fiscal balance, this task will be handed over to the Budget Room, which will be set up by Aruba, in cooperation with the Netherlands. Both Aruba Prime Minister Mike Eman and Minster Ronald Plasterk of Home Affairs are satisfied with his agreement.