PHILIPSBURG:--- On Friday, September 15, the French authorities, represented by the Prefet Madame Anne Laubies and President Daniel Gibbs met with the Governor, drs. Eugene Holiday, and the Council of Ministers of Sint Maarten to discuss the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. The meeting continued with the Governor and a delegation of the Council of Ministers consisting of the Prime Minister, Mr. William Marlin, and Minister of Justice, Mr. Rafael Boasman, on Saturday afternoon, September 16.
The curfew between Sint Maarten and Saint Martin, which was the source of misunderstandings was synchronized. Authorities agreed that effective Sunday, September 17, 2017, non-emergency pass holders are prohibited from being on the streets between 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. until further notice. Emergency pass holders are defined as follows:
- Persons holding valid disaster team passes from Sint Maarten;
- Persons holding valid passes with permission to circulate from Saint Martin.
Though checkpoints will be at all borders, this does not prohibit the free movement between each side of the island, but it will enhance the protection of the citizens on the island. Further evaluation of the adjusted curfew hours, will take place during a meeting to be continued on Wednesday, September 20.
Protocols on the communication procedures before and after a disaster between each side of the islands were also established, which includes a backup system in the event all means of telecommunication fall out.
Both parties were satisfied with the outcome of the meetings and will continue to meet on a regular basis to ensure the rebuilding and overall redevelopment of the island Sint Maarten / Saint Martin will be as quick as possible.
DCOMM Press Release
French and Dutch Authorities meet to discuss Blocked Borders.
The President of the Collectivité of Saint-Martin, Mr. Daniel Gibbs and the Préfète Anne Laubiès, met yesterday, Friday, September 15th, with the Dutch side authorities at the Governor’s Eugene Holiday office in Philipsburg. Were present around the table, the Prime Minister William Marlin and his ministers. The objective of this meeting initiated by President Gibbs was to solve the issue of the closed borders between both sides of the island, which penalizes the French citizens residing on Dutch Side and verso versa. A second meeting is scheduled today to coordinate the actions and finalize the agreement.
French and Dutch authorities resolve issues that caused border closing.
The authorities of Saint Martin, represented by the President of the Collectivité, Daniel Gibbs, and the Préfète Anne Laubies, and the authorities of Sint Maarten, represented by Governor Eugene Holiday, Prime Minister William Marlin and the Minister of Justice, Raphael Boasman, met on Friday, 15 September and Saturday 16 September 2017, to optimize cross-border cooperation after Hurricane IRMA.
Thus, following a 60-minute discussion, which was particularly constructive, it was agreed to synchronize the curfew of the Dutch side with the ban on circulation of the French side, which constituted a source of misunderstanding. starting on Sunday, 17 September, from 7 pm to 6 am until Wednesday, 20 September, when a new meeting will take place to re-evaluate the needs.
Only persons with a "Priority vehicle - driving permission" authorization from the French side or a "Disaster Team pass" from the Dutch side may cross the border during the curfew. The rest will have to make sure they get home before 7 pm.
During the period of restriction (7 pm - 6 am), common border controls will be organized, which will in no case prevent movement throughout the territory. The will of both sides is to allow citizens on both sides of the island to move freely while ensuring their protection during the night; it is in no way disrupting the free movement of persons between the North and the South and vice versa.
It was also decided to set up a common protocol for both pre-cyclone and post-cyclone management, as well as joint means of communication, in order to optimize the organization between the two parts of the island.
President Gibbs welcomed the listening to the authorities in Sint-Maarten and the scope of the discussions. Cooperation meetings on post-Irma management will be organized regularly between the two parties.
Press Releases from the Collectivity of St. Martin
