On the eve of Christmas, Prime Minister Sarah Wescott-Williams and Minister of Justice Roland Duncan met with President of the Territorial Council of Saint Martin Frantz Gumbs to discuss various matters.
The first issue was the matter of the passport requirement of French citizens arriving at Princess Juliana Airport and other ports on St. Maarten. The second issue regarded the issuance and renewal of Dutch drivers’ licenses of persons who reside on the French side, and lastly the setting up of committees to not only research and implement the Franco-Dutch treaty but also work on other matters of concern between the two sides.
The Cabinet of the President sent in a proposal just one week earlier to the office of the Prime Minister suggesting an immediate hiatus, of a minimum period of six months, on the passport requirement for French citizens entering any ports on the Southern side of the island. During this six month so-called grace period French citizens originating from Paris or any other French territory will be able to use their I.D. or any other official identification to enter and leave St. Maarten.
This period will also allow the offices of tourism as well as other travel agencies and organizations to properly inform travelers from France and other French territories of the passport requirement.
The proposal was accepted by the Prime Minister and Minister of Justice who saw it as a practical decision to allow both sides time to continue to discuss and deal with the issue. This transitional agreement went into effect as of 24th December, 2010.
A stronger, more mutually beneficial relationship is being sought by the current administrations of both Governments.