PM: "This is indeed very important news for the development of the Dutch Quarter District specifically and St. Maarten in general"
BRUSSELS, Belgium:--- During her working visit to the Netherlands and Belgium the Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams signed into effect the tenth European Development Fund (EDF) project for the wide scale infrastructural upgrading of the Dutch Quarter District in Brussels on Friday. The Prime Minister, as Territorial Authorizing Officer, has been engaged in wide scale negotiations with the European Union to fund the improvement of the Dutch Quarter District, which will greatly enhance the infrastructure and social upgrading of the area. The European Union will provide 4.750.000 Euro for the project. "After lengthy negotiations and discussions we have successfully managed to sign the funding agreement with the European Union for the upgrading of the Dutch Quarter District. The focus on last Thursday and Friday's meetings where the Overseas Countries and Territories of the EU including St. Maarten, the EU member states, and the EU were represented were crucial as it was expected that the 10th European Development Fund financing agreement would be signed off in addition to the starting of discussions regarding the 11th EDF program themes and the new Overseas Association Decision (OAD) which goes into effect as per January 2014 which will govern the relationship between the EU and its OCTs for the coming years.
"With the signing of the European Development Fund agreement St. Maarten will be expected to manage its own 10th EDF execution with as mentioned the designated project being the upgrading of Dutch Quarter.
The management structure that will be put in place is a critical component to ensure that the project is executed within the parameters and guidelines of European funding," stated a much-relieved Wescot-Williams.
The Prime Minister, as Minister for General Affairs and as Territorial Authorizing Officer (TAO) responsible for the proper execution of the EDF programs and projects on St. Maarten, was the chief negotiator for the funding which will see large scale multi-million Euro infrastructural upgrades to one of the more challenged districts in the country. "There is still much work to be done before the actual work on the project for Dutch Quarter can begin, but securing the funding before the end of 2013 is a major accomplishment, especially given the difficulties which have previously existed between (U)SONA and the European Union. This is indeed very important news for the development of the Dutch Quarter District Specifically and St. Maarten in general," stated the Prime Minister.
Upon learning of the coming upgrades to their district, residents of the Dutch Quarter area reacted with great satisfaction. "We would like to thank the Prime Minister and Government for negotiating with the European Union so that our district will receive the necessary upgrades. It is good to see that our district, which is seen as one of the most challenged ones on St. Maarten, will see the necessary infrastructural upgrades we so very much need," commented a Dutch Quarter Community Representative upon learning of the signing.
From the Cabinet of the Prime Minister
