"Progress is noticeable as we step up the level of service to the people of St. Maarten as well as to foreign investors and visitors."
Coming out of a very fruitful meeting with the authorities of the Collectivité of St. Martin, the Prime Minister of St. Maarten, the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams again outlined aspects of Country St. Maarten’s Foreign Relations Policy as outlined in the Governing Program.
"Working for the People expresses a desire to work together in the interest of St. Maarten and this interest is also served by sound international relations as an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands," stated Prime Minister Wescot-Williams.
Among mutual priorities in cooperation currently being explored between the Governments of St. Maarten and St. Martin are joint road projects, transportation and vehicle registration, recognition of licenses, drinking water production, waste management and garbage handling, sewerage, drainage, agriculture initiatives, exchange of data among hospitals, education cooperation and aspects related to safety, welfare improvements and regulations to discourage fraud. A start has also been made with joint passenger immigration control at Juliana Airport and cross border police cooperation.
Directorate of Foreign Relations
"Progress is noticeable as we step up the level of service to the people of St. Maarten, as well as to foreign investors and visitors. The Governing Program embraces a dynamic strategy to anticipate rather than merely respond to change, by making choices and developing a regional identity that fits and marks our presence as a player on the international scene.
One of the tools has been the establishment of the Directorate of Foreign Relations (DBB). DBB is a Government Department that provides advice, deals with international treaties, protocol and consular services, and is the focal point in communication of the St. Maarten government with other governments throughout the region and the world. It constitutes the liaison with international organizations, within the framework of the Charter of the Kingdom.
Relationship Between St. Maarten and Other Caribbean Territories
The Governing Program also outlines the Government’s Foreign Policy which offers the framework to cope with the many consequences of international crises, especially considering that foreign policy and economic policies overlap, specifically with regard to St. Maarten’s relationship with other territories in the Caribbean Region. The Governing Program states that Caribbean Countries share historical, social and cultural ties that bind them together. Despite these ties there are also common challenges associated with the islands’ smallness in size and population; heavy reliance on the import of goods and services and energy production, the vulnerability to external shocks, and the islands’ intrinsic ecological fragility.
"Considering that Environmental depletion has an adverse impact on tourism and that adherence to international treaties and regulations are to be observed and are crucial for the protection of a small and open economy like ours, compliance with safety protocols in border areas, coasts or airports, air traffic regulations, fighting organized and international crime and trafficking are all priorities to ensure the quality of this society and promote a positive image abroad," commented the PM.
Upon attaining its constitutional status as a constituent part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands , St. Maarten expressed interest in becoming an Associate member to CARICOM . The Assistant Secretary General of the Caribbean Community responded to St. Maarten’s expression of interest in a letter dated October 29th, 2012 in which he explained that the Community Council of CARICOM established a Technical Working Group(TWG) to develop a criteria for Associate Membership of the Community and to review the status of participation of Associate Members. In order to advance its work, the TWG called on the Secretariat to engage the relevant authorities in St. Maarten to determine St. Maarten’s areas of interest in CARICOM . In order to effectively fulfill this task, the Government of St. Maarten is required to designate a Focal Point to assist the Secretariat, which will be put into motion soon. "The Government of St. Maarten attaches great importance to regional cooperation as it is viewed as a tool to assist Caribbean countries in coping with these challenges. To this end, Government has taken up and considers membership in regional organizations that will help with institutional building, provide opportunities for social and economic progress, facilitate transfer of knowledge and best practices, offer technical / financial assistance in specialized areas, and serve domestic goals such as migration, social development, justice and diversification," explained the Prime Minister.
Relationship with the United States
Since 10-10-10, St. Maarten has requested preferential trade benefits available with the United States based on agreements which were formerly with the Netherlands Antilles, specifically as it relates to the Caribbean Basin Initiative. The Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) trade preference programs are vital elements in U.S. economic relations with its neighbors in Central America and in the Caribbean. The CBI is intended to facilitate the economic development and export diversification of the Caribbean Basin economies. Initially launched in 1983, through the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA), and substantially expanded in 2000 through the U.S.-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA), the CBI currently provides beneficiary countries with duty-free access to the U.S. market for most goods. The CBTPA was signed into law in May 2000 and was implemented by Presidential Proclamation in October 2000. It expires on September 30, 2020, or the date, if sooner, on which a free trade agreement as described in legislation enters into force between the United States and a CBTPA beneficiary country. There are currently 17 CBERA beneficiary countries, eight of which are also beneficiaries under CBTPA and St. Maarten is currently applying for membership.
Relationship with the European Union
In addition to the Country’s relationship with its Caribbean neighbors, St. Maarten forms part of the European Union’s Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) grouping. The association of the OCTs with the Union stems from the constitutional relations that these countries and territories have with the four Member States of the EU. "This relationship reflects a modernized relationship between EU and OCTs that is characterized by a shift from classical development (with a focus on poverty reduction) to one based on a model that conciliates economic activities and social well-being in the long run, while preserving natural resources and ecosystems for future