People of St. Maarten / Saint Martin:
Celebrations of the 2008 St. Maarten's Day take on additional significance in view of the 360th commemoration of the signing of the Treaty of Concordia and the 60th anniversary since the unveiling of the historic Bellevue frontier monument.
These milestones come at a time when our neighbors to the north have entered into a new constitutional status as a collectivity while we, to the south continue to pursue the status of country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Both territories have come far, since those early pioneering day when the first cornerstones were laid for today's peaceful co-existence between the people and governments of two separate administrative entities, each with its own specific characteristics.
These characteristics have long found each other by means of the cultural heritage of the people of the island.
It is a heritage that would promote a peaceful coexistence through a deep appreciation for each other and correct knowledge of the difference of other cultures now evident among us
It is a peaceful co-existence, which even today, in the 21st century continues to find strength through respect to the approach taken by the other and our outlook towards each other.
It is a peaceful co-existence which rests on the fundamental pillars of:
1. Mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty
2. Mutual non-aggression
3. Mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs
4. Equality
It's the kind of peaceful co-existence further facilitated by family ties and shares cultural heritage.
With the expansion of our knowledge and increased contacts with people of different continents, St. Maarten continues to encounter fresh opportunities to discover new cultures and lifestyles previously unknown.
As a consequence, issues related to cultural identities and cultural differences gain more importance than before.
It is in this environment, that we mark St. Maarten's Day 2008 -- projecting an image of who we are as one people.
May we continue to do so and serve as examples for the future generations of St. Martiners.
To each and all, Have a most enjoyable 2008 St. Maarten's Day.