GREAT BAY (GIS):--- A Mutual Arrangement has been signed by St. Maarten's Minister Franklin Meyers and Curacao's Ministers Charles Cooper, both of whom are responsible for their respective Meteorological Offices, for the services of Forecasting and for the appointment of the representation in the World Meteorological Organization.Minister Meyers welcomed Minister Cooper and his accompanying team and said that the agreement is sort of a brotherhood agreement in the sense that Curacao is still family. After 10-10-10, each country has to do certain things on his own. But because of the time span, it was difficult to acquire all the personnel we needed, so we have come to an agreement with the Met Office in Curacao who will provide the needed services.
Minister Cooper thanked everyone for being there and said that it was a pleasure to be on St. Maarten and representing the Government of Curacao. He said this is the way it should be, working together. On one hand, where one of us need help or are less developed, the other is there. In this case, it is with the Met office. In another case, we need assistance with Tourism, where St. Maarten is well developed. So we are mutually helping each other out. The way it should be in the Dutch Caribbean. And so we can grow together.
Due to the fact that the Meteorological Service of Curacao provides services for all of the former Netherlands Antilles, the details of the actual Cooperation Agreement (CA) will be worked out among in a mixed committee where all parties will be represented. The CA will itemize the cost of the agreement as well as the services that is covered based on ICAO regulation of cost-recovery. However, the current Mutual Arrangement is for a period of 1 year.
