"The meeting ended on a very positive note with the understanding that we all as Members of Parliament (MP) subscribe to having a sound and transparent financial management system for country Sint Maarten.
"Parliament will execute its role as mandated by the people of Sint Maarten, including making sure that Government puts its household in order before or ultimately by the end of 2015, on the basis of having the right balance between public expenditures and financial accountability," Hon. President of Parliament Gracita Arrindell explained on Tuesday after the meeting.
The agenda comprised of discussions related to the 2010, 2011 and 2012 budgets; financial management system; and the Corporate Governance Council (CGC).
The most important point that members of Parliament sought clarity on with the CFT was the right of Parliament regarding the final say on the national budget.
MPs and the CFT discussed the role of Parliament with respect to the 2010 budget, and would like clarity from a procedural as well as from a constitutional perspective, since the law according to the President of Parliament Hon. Gracita Arrindell, is not unambiguous in its interpretation, but mainly when placed in the context of the timeframe of 10-10-10, and the date to submit and approve the budget 2010 before January 1st, 2011 as legally prescribed by our constitution.
Another point discussed was the so-called deadline that Sint Maarten allegedly has not met to be able to qualify for claims in regards to the debt relief process agreed to in 2006 and, the role of government owned companies.
MPs were also informed that the CFT and the Ministry of Finance have been in early discussions and consultations regarding preparations for the draft 2012 country budget along the lines as established by the Kingdom Law on Financial Supervision.
The CGC was also on the agenda. "With respect to the CGC, Parliament has received correspondence from the latter and we plan on following up in inviting the CGC for a meeting so they can update us on their current state of affairs," Arrindell pointed out.
MPs who attended the meeting were MP Sylvia Meyers, MP Johan Leonard, MP George Pantophlet, MP Patrick Illidge, MP Jules James, MP Lloyd Richardson, MP Romain Laville, and absent with notice was MP William Marlin. Absent without notice were MPs Frans Richardson, MP Hyacinth Richardson and MP Louie Laveist.
The CFT was represented by Kees van Amerongen, Geert Bergsma, Hans Weitenberg, Margo Vlieghart, Alberto Romero, Martijn van Keulen, and Jacob de Gleese.
