PHILIPSBURG:--- The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams commented that there is a need within the Kingdom of the Netherlands to establish a positive program for the Dutch Kingdom in light of its two-hundred year anniversary. The Prime Minister's comments came as a result of debates in the Kingdom Youth Parliament held on St. Maarten last week where much focus was placed on building positive relationships between all Kingdom Partners; "I was very much impressed by all of the participants in the Kingdom Youth Parliament and how they stressed the need for a positive program when it comes to the Dutch Kingdom. I think it is very appropriate for the reflections that need to take place as we look at celebrating two hundred years of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. We were extremely pleased that one of the first celebrations of the two-hundred year anniversary happened on St. Maarten and even more pleased to see how the young people debated amongst each other and the concrete recommendations and instructions that they had. I think overall the adult politicians in the Kingdom should learn a lesson from these young people; we need to move away from the premise that we are all not equal partners in the Kingdom. There is too much patronizing still from some politicians in the Netherlands towards the smaller countries in the Caribbean and we need to move away from that. I commended a member of the Dutch Second Chamber who recommended that Plasterk establishes a positive program for the Kingdom," commented Prime Minister Wescot-Williams.
From the Cabinet of the Prime Minister