At the level of the CESE, our Overseas group concretized several projects. Thus we made studies on: renewable Energies and Reinforcement of the Co-operation with our neighbors. We also completed work on: The dependency particularly of our elderly, The inequalities at school, the Climate changing & warming, the Common agricultural policy, the vocational training, the competitiveness of the companies, the Common Policy of Fishing, the ANRU (National Agency for Urban Renovation), the forest, and especially, we produced the report on the situation of France. All these studies and works incontestably constitute true tracks of reflection and decision-making aid for our Government.
At this time when France is crossing a severe period of turbulence, related to the economic and financial crisis and which became the crisis of the sovereign debt of the states, the Overseas Territories seems more and more as an oxygen relief for our economy.
At the local level, in spite of the obstacles, the Collectivity continued its efforts in the installation of its competences. I contributed to the signature of the convention between LADOM and our Collectivity and I am particularly asking our youth in search of mobility, training and employment to make this convention live.
The year 2011 will remain engraved in the Saint Martin and especially Grand-Case people's memory as being the year of the death of a great man, Robert Weinum, who was General, Regional, and Municipal Councilor during long years. This is why, with Senator Louis Constant Fleming and President Frantz Gumbs, we started the process to re-baptize "Aéroport de l'Espérance" of Grand case, « Aéroport Robert Weinum ».
The year 2012 is the year of all challenges. Many will be rewarded for their efforts... I hope that the elections, which will soon arrive, are for our population a true moment of freedom of expression, democratic participation and a real choice of society. Provided that Saint Martin, France but also the United States experience a higher growth !
On the CESE level, we come to launch a specific study on the jurisdiction and the exploitation of the Maritime Continental platforms which will have to make it possible for France to better explore its maritime depths (discovery of oil in Guyana...). Following the creation of a Delegation specific to the Overseas in the Senate, our Delegation with the CESE is considering to establish a bridge to facilitate exchanges with this new body.
In conclusion, I would ask you to retain the past, even if per moments we had to "compose" with it, to take part fully and preferably in a constructive way in our present in order to offer to Saint Martin, France and the United States, a future more than perfect!!!.
Good Health, Good participation and Good Year 2012.
