President Arrindell says public safety and security and visas discussed with Dutch PM Rutte

Dutch Prime Minister Hon. Mark Rutte (2nd from left), President of Parliament Hon. Gracita Arrindell, MP Hon. Roy Marlin and MP Hon. Sylvia Meyers in the House of Parliament Conference room.

President of Parliament Hon. Gracita Arrindell stated on Monday that the meeting between the faction leaders of parliament and the Dutch Prime Minister Hon. Mark Rutte centred on business promotion and trade, public safety, security and the visa policy of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

L to R, MP Hon. Sylvia Meyers, MP Hon. Roy Marlin, President of Parliament Hon. Gracita Arrindell and Dutch Prime Minister Hon. Mark Rutte.

The meeting took place in the Conference room at the House of Parliament last week Thursday. The President of Parliament first welcomed the Prime Minister and then gave a synopsis of the state of affairs with respect to Parliament.

The faction leaders present for the working visit of the Dutch Prime Minister were Democratic Party (DP) Faction Leader Hon. Roy Marlin and United People’s (UP) party Interim Faction Leader Hon. Sylvia Meyers.

Issues’ pertaining to public safety and security especially during the high tourist season was discussed, as well as the visa policy of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and how this is impacting Sint Maarten.

Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Roy Marlin requested special attention and once again underscored the need for a more flexible approach for Sint Maarten where visas are concerned.

Business travellers and tourist from Colombia and the Dominican Republic, who already possess a United States of America Visa, is still subject to get a visa from the Dutch Embassy to visit Sint Maarten.

The MPs asked Prime Minister Rutte to consider exempting these categories of travellers from obtaining a visa from the Dutch Embassy to visit Sint Maarten.

The MPs feel that a more practical policy needs to be put in place that enhances tourism and business travellers from these two countries, and according to the President of Parliament Arrindell, the Prime Minister was not unreceptive to the proposals made and suggested the necessary follow-up be made with the relevant Ministries.

"At the end of the visit to Parliament, Prime Minister Rutte signed the guest book and he and his entourage were given a tour of the House. He was especially impressed with the view from the office of the President overlooking Great Bay and the General Assembly Chamber of the House," President of Parliament Hon. Gracita Arrindell said on Monday.