GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- A delegation of the Dutch Council of State ('Raad van State') consisting of Marten Oosting, member of the 'Staatsraad'; Dennis Richardson, member of the 'Staatsraad van het Koninkrijk'); Ron van der Veer, advisor; Arnold Weggeman, acting director legislation, accompanied by Vice Chairman of the Council of Advice Mavis Brooks-Salmon, brought a courtesy visit to the Council of Ministers this week.
Deputy Prime Minister Hon. William Marlin, Hon. Minister Cornelius de Weever and Hon. Minister Romeo Pantophlet were present during the meeting as other Ministers were off island at the time.
Oosting provided an explanation on the role of the Council of State in the process of lawmaking as well as their procedures applied.
The institute was established in 1531 and the advisory branch is currently the highest advisor to the government and parliament in matters of legislation and administration.
Aruba created its Council of Advice after obtaining their status of aparte as country in 1987, and both Sint Maarten and Curaçao did similar after the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles October 10, 2010.
A close collaboration has been established between all the Councils of Advice and the Council of State within the Kingdom of the Netherlands; regular consultations take place and a conference is planned to take place every two years.
The next upcoming one will take place on Sint Maarten. Part of the visit of the members of the Council of State included a meeting with Parliament and a guest lecture at the University of St. Martin with the topic 'Good advice is precious. On the importance of independent advice on legislation.'
A visit to the BES islands was also part of the itinerary.
