Philipsburg:--- Prime Minister of St. Maarten Sarah Wescot Williams announced on Wednesday during the Council of Ministers' weekly press briefing that authorities on the Dutch side will be seeking further information on what is required by French authorities for Dutch citizens/residents to circulate on the French side.
Wescot Williams said that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was signed by the leaders of both sides stipulates that three levels of government would have met to further discuss matters relating to cooperation. The three parties that had to meet were representatives from the Collectivity of St. Martin, the Prefect Delegue, and the Council of Ministers from the Dutch side. Wescot Williams said while the work group consisting of technicians has been meeting, the meeting involving elected officials and the representative of the State is yet to take place.
Wescot Williams said the last meeting which was held on April 10th, 2013 involved several persons. She said there were representatives from the department of foreign relations, representatives from the secretariat of the Council of Ministers, and the Ministry of Justice while the French side had representatives from the COM and a representative of the State who were all part of the meeting. The Prime Minister said that during these meetings police and other justice related matters are being discussed. She said after taking note of the incident that took place that involved someone that resides on the Dutch side and was circulating on the French side, she would need to further look into the matter in order to get more information and clarity. The Prime Minister said she is threading carefully on what she is saying because she did not have all the information as to what the person had on them when it comes to legal documents. The Prime Minister said that the Director of the Immigration Services (IND) intends to seek further clarification on the issue which will also be discussed by the technocrats that have been meeting constantly to work on cooperation.
She said recently discussions were held about the cooperation between the two sides as to the operations at the Princess Juliana International Airport, especially regarding documents for entry into St. Maarten. One of the things the Dutch side Immigration officials will be looking to verify is whether or not the French side Identification cards are now accepted as a travel document to enter St. Maarten. Another issue that has to be further discussed is the Oyster Pond border, the police treaty, the points of entry such as the Sandy Ground Bridge, and how authorities will deal with criminals that flee from one side to the other when they commit crimes. The Prime Minister said while those matters were discussed on a technical level the Dutch side will have to get a clear picture (understanding) as to what is required of the Dutch side for its people to circulate on the French side. "Maybe this is a storm in a teacup because I really don't have all the details on what exactly took place. I don't know what the person had in their possession and we would like to know what exactly the requirements are, this will be discussed among the technocrats and only if necessary then the matter will be discussed among government (elected officials and the State)." Wescot Williams also confirmed that the Franco Dutch Treaty is now being implemented at the PJIAE when she was asked by SMN News reporter.
