PHILIPSBURG:--- In a move that speaks volumes about their priorities, three coalition members, now reduced to six Parliamentarians, have opted to travel to Paraguay for ParlAmericas alongside the Secretary-General of Parliament, halting Parliament meetings in St. Maarten.
Despite the coalition repeatedly stressing the urgency of maintaining the full fifteen members in Parliament, the coalition has chosen to proceed with their trip rather than address critical affairs of Parliament. The pending affairs of Parliament include crucial meetings, such as the approval of credentials, which still lingers due to the irresponsible manner in which the Presidium handled the resignation of the two departing members of Parliament, now Ministers, and the approval of new Members of Parliament.
Earlier this week, the National Alliance and United People's Party (NA/UP) factions urgently requested a parliament meeting to approve the incoming MPs' credentials. However, despite the majority of Members of Parliament being present on the island, the coalition has yet to officially respond to this pressing request, which they claim to deeply care about.
"The decision to cripple Parliament's operations raises serious questions about the commitment of the coalition to their duties and responsibilities as elected representatives. Why cripple the operations of Parliament when a meeting could easily be convened in their absence?" MP Doran stated.
This deliberate obstruction not only undermines the democratic process but also reflects poorly on the coalition's willingness to prioritize the needs of the people of Sint Maarten and approval of their own coalition members' credentials. It is important to note that the coalition members were a no-show on Thursday, May 2, 2024, for the meeting regarding approving the incoming MPs' credentials. At least one of these missing members was on the airwaves, expressing dissatisfaction with his coalition. "How can the other Coalition members then cast blame on the opposition for not approving the credentials of their members?" It is their members that are infighting and sabotaging the operations of the coalition.
"I am extremely disappointed with the rhetoric the coalition is playing to present a different picture to the public of St. Maarten. We, the "Super 7", have submitted an urgent public meeting request to seek clarity on the legitimacy of the booked resignation letters of the two former MPs and to approve the credentials of the two incoming MPs who are members of their coalition. However, we have not received any formal reply to our meeting request dated May 7 nor our follow-up email dated May 8, despite pointing out that urgent meetings are to be held within 48 hours according to the Parliamentary rules of order. This lack of response again demonstrates their disregard for Parliament's rules of order and us as fellow Members of Parliament. This blatant disregard has left us with no choice but to retract our urgent request as most of our MPs will be travelling on Monday for a week. While the 2 x 4 coalition publicly expresses the urgency of the matter, their actions tell a different story," said MP Omar Ottley.
As the NA/UP factions continue to advocate for accountability, transparency, and effective governance, it is imperative that the coalition reevaluates its priorities and takes immediate steps to address its major internal issues so that the operations of Parliament do not continue at this level of amateurism.
For further inquiries or comments, please contact Members of Parliament Egbert Jurendy Doran and Omar E.C. Ottley at the provided contact information.

PHILIPSBURG:---  Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina and members of the Council of Ministers convened with members of the Permanent Committee Kingdom Relations (KOREL) from the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament during a courtesy visit.
The delegation comprised of: Wieke Paulusma, Acting Chair of the Committee, Delegation Leader (D66), Peter van Haasen (PVV), Raoul White (GroenLinks-PvdA), Ingrid Michon-Derkzen (VVD), Faith Bruyning (NSC), Edson Hato (VN ACS - Representative of the Netherlands, Aruba, Curacao and St. Maarten) and Chris Johnson (Head VNP- Representative of the Netherlands in Philipsburg).
The delegation, led by Wieke Paulusma, Acting Chair of the Committee, included representatives from various Dutch political parties along with officials representing the Kingdom's interests in the Caribbean region.
The members of the Permanent Committee Kingdom Relations (KOREL) from the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament acknowledged the diverse contexts and distinct administrative structures of the territories and the Netherlands, emphasizing the importance of tailoring approaches to address specific matters. Despite the Dutch Government being in a caretaker status, the insights gained from these discussions will be disseminated.
The forthcoming Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultations (IPKO) meeting, scheduled for the beginning of June 2024, will delve further into the establishment of the Dispute Committee ('Geschillencommissie'), a crucial entity for effectively addressing and resolving disputes within the Kingdom, which is still pending establishment.
The meeting highlighted the critical necessity for continuous training to bolster capacity building in Sint Maarten. It was stressed that individuals receiving training in the Netherlands should return to their respective territories to contribute. Furthermore, exploring job exchange opportunities between the Netherlands and Sint Maarten was recognized as a means to enhance the island's short- and medium-term workforce.
Additionally, avenues for securing funding through the European Union for various initiatives will be further investigated.
Members commended the country for its adeptness in transforming challenges into unique opportunities for growth and development, particularly in combating climate change. They also praised the effective collaboration observed among the islands within the Kingdom. The Second Chamber delegation noted the strong willingness among the islands to collaborate in addressing regional issues.
Renewable energy projects were identified as crucial opportunities for sustainable development. Regarding healthcare for the islands of Saba and St. Eustatius, connecting all stakeholders within the Dutch Government and the Kingdom is imperative. Sint Maarten expressed its readiness to assist the Netherlands in this endeavor.
Prime Minister Mercelina emphasized the priorities he seeks support for in the Netherlands during the visit, focusing on key issues vital to the advancement of St. Maarten.
"Today's discussions were instrumental in conveying St. Maarten's urgent needs and aspirations to our Dutch counterparts," stated Prime Minister Mercelina. We emphasized the importance of establishing a Dispute Regulation for the Kingdom, a crucial step towards ensuring fair and just governance within our shared entity."
Highlighting the challenges faced by St. Maarten, Prime Minister Mercelina drew attention to the significant debt burden hindering the island's progress. "We discussed the pressing issue of St. Maarten's crippling debt, which poses a significant obstacle to our development trajectory," remarked Prime Minister Mercelina. "Addressing this challenge is paramount to realizing a promising future for our nation."
Prime Minister Mercelina also underscored the need for stronger collaboration between educational institutions, particularly in expanding opportunities within key sectors such as tourism. "We seek to forge a closer working relationship with educational institutions to bolster our workforce, particularly in vital sectors like tourism," emphasized Prime Minister Mercelina. "By investing in education and skills development, we can drive sustainable growth and prosperity for St. Maarten."
Proposing a vision for a more inclusive Kingdom, Prime Minister Mercelina advocated for honoring the unique identities and differences among the constituent countries. "We believe in enriching the concept of an inclusive Kingdom by celebrating the diversity and distinctiveness of each member," expressed Prime Minister Mercelina. "Our shared future lies in recognizing and embracing our differences, fostering a more cohesive and resilient Kingdom."
The discussions concluded on a positive note, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to dialogue and cooperation for the mutual benefit of St. Maarten and the Kingdom at large.

PHILIPSBURG:---  Following the resounding success of Pazzazz SXM 2023, the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau (STB) has embarked on a collaborative endeavor with All Access Promotion Global, LLC and The Captain’s Rib Shack, fully committed to elevating the Pazzazz SXM 2024 experience. This initiative also has the goal of fostering increased awareness of the island and event attendees to drive revenue for all stakeholders involved.

The main event is scheduled to kick off this Friday, May 10, 2024, along the Simpson Bay strip, featuring local entertainment. With an anticipated influx of over 150 visitors, this Mother's Day weekend promises to be an unforgettable celebration.

As part of the festivities, a day in Anguilla is slated for Mother’s Day 2024, offering attendees a distinctive experience that showcases St. Maarten's accessibility and its proximity to neighboring islands. The weekend extravaganza will also feature activities on the French side, highlighting the cultural duality of the island. With an array of unique features and attractions, St. Maarten will once again shine as the signature destination, making the Pazzazz event truly exceptional.

STB Project Leader Lisa Coffi stated, “The overarching objective is to establish St. Maarten as the perennial location for Pazzazz Mother’s Day Weekend, a vision that is being realized through this strategic partnership.”

Given the distinct characteristics and offerings of St. Maarten, an extraordinary and impactful event not only benefits Pazzazz SXM but also contributes to the island's growth and sustainability. Pazzazz SXM has the potential to stimulate the local economy by attracting visitors, creating job opportunities, and bolstering local businesses, all while delivering an unforgettable experience for attendees.

Furthermore, Pazzazz SXM values both its international patrons and the local community of St. Maarten. The events are designed to be inclusive, enriching experiences that forge stronger connections between Pazzazz SXM and the island, with promotion efforts targeting both visitors and locals alike.

Please refer to the attached Pazzazz schedule for further details.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  On Wednesday, May 8, 2024, the newly appointed Council of Ministers (CoM) of Sint Maarten, including the Minister Plenipotentiary and his Deputy, received an insightful presentation from Maria van der Sluis-Plantz, the current Councilor of the State for the Kingdom on behalf of Sint Maarten, as part of the Leadership Excellence through R.I.S.E. (Relationship Building, Insight, Skills and Empowerment) Onboarding Program.
This session was designed to thoroughly acquaint the new ministers with the governance structure of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, optimally preparing them for their roles.
Councilor van der Sluis-Plantz's presentation offered a detailed overview of the general structure, highlighting its various governing bodies, including the Kingdom Government, the Supreme Court (Hoge Raad der Nederlanden), and the High Councils of State.
Particular emphasis was placed on the Council of State of the Kingdom, an esteemed institution since 1531.
Councilor van der Sluis-Plantz’s role is instrumental in ensuring that Sint Maarten's interests are well-represented within the Kingdom.
She actively contributes to the Council's deliberations, advocating for the needs and priorities of Sint Maarten and the other Caribbean constituents of the Kingdom.
Additionally, the presentation addressed the ongoing political dynamics within the Netherlands and its relationship with the European Union (EU).
As part of the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), Sint Maarten enjoys a unique political cooperation and commercial partnership with the EU, enhancing its strategic position within the region.
The onboarding session also served as a preparatory step for the courtesy visit by the delegation of the Permanent Committee of Kingdom Relations of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament, that took place in the same morning of Wednesday, May 8, ensuring that the ministers were well-prepared to engage in informed discussions.
The Council of Ministers remains committed to equip its leaders with the necessary skillset and knowledge to effectively govern.