Rutte confirmed earlier decisions and statements about relations with islands.

The Daily Herald writes, that according to Rutte, a definite regulation was set for the financial and constitutional relations with the islands when the former Netherlands Antilles became dismantled per October 10, 2010, the countries Curaçao and St. Maarten were established and the island territories Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba became Dutch public entities. However, Rutte left the option for independence open. In his six-page letter, he stated that he made this clear in public and closed-door meetings on each of the six islands of the Dutch Caribbean during his visit in July this year.

The Prime Minister stated that the Cabinet will respect the general evaluation of the constitutional relations five years after the transition date and execute the evaluation provisions in legislation. Rutte’s expressions to the Dutch media that accompanied him on his trip about independence of the islands if they so desired caused quite a row. De Telegraaf and NRC Handelsblad newspapers reported at that time that he had told authorities on the islands that if they wanted to leave and the majority of the people supported that position, then it was possible and they just had to give him a call for it to be arranged.

In his letter, Rutte also explained that he told the islands that the Dutch Cabinet would take a standpoint on the initiative law of Member of the Second Chamber André Bosman of the liberal democratic VVD party based on the governing accord of the VVD/PvdA government. Rutte furthermore gave details on his visit per island. The letter contained a part on the economic mission and the delegation of the Dutch business sector that accompanied Rutte on his visit that took place from July 13 to 20.