From left: President Daniel Gibbs, Préfet Serge Gouteyron, Governor Eugene Holiday and Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs laid a wreath at the foot of the stele. (Robert Luckock photo)
CONCORDIA--Dutch St. Maarten Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs’ speech for the 373rd anniversary of the Treaty of Concordia on Tuesday talked of amending and improving the treaty, while she also acknowledged the need for a unifying body of elected representatives from both sides of the island to jointly manage its daily affairs.
The latter point will have been music to the ears of President of the Collectivité of St. Martin Daniel Gibbs, who has long called for this unifying body but refers to it as a Dutch-French United Congress.
Jacobs was among dignitaries from both sides of the island who gathered on Mont des Accords to commemorate the anniversary.
She said the time for action is now. “I am seeing your vision (turning to Gibbs) of this functioning like a mini-European Union (EU) on 37 square miles, forming a platform for us to amend agreements and treaties, update them, taking into consideration the local context and current situations. We can both agree that much groundwork will be needed to be done by technical experts from both sides before this vision can be realised. But the steps have started.”
Jacobs pledged to appoint a task force of technical experts across sectors of both sides of the island to come up with a plan of action that tackles the best legal construct to execute decisions jointly in the best interest of sustainable development.
“Cooperation pertaining to environment, health, sports, infrastructure, security, law enforcement, culture, education, youth, continues on a technical level, but what is lacking is a concerted effort to have a unified body to really unify our actions,” she emphasised. “But even with the complexities of today, the realities and responsibilities, we are making strides in improving communication and collaboration as separate entities.”
She said she has committed to having monthly meetings with the préfet délégué, something that has not been done before, and committed to meeting with her Council of Ministers and representatives of the Collectivité to find a structured way to meet and discuss moving towards this governing entity.
On the Concordia Treaty, she said rapid changes to the constitutions of both parties (country and territory) mean the need to evaluate, amend and improve the treaty is long overdue.
“It has never been a better time to do it now. We must move to a more updated treaty rooted in our community, but with a vision of the community we want in the future.”
French St. Martin’s First Vice-President Valérie Damaseau also confirmed in her remarks that the much-needed cooperation needs to be formalised now.
“We can no longer continue to believe that the treaty which was initiated 373 years ago still stands as is. I have been saying it since 2018. It has been proven that at any time it can be put into question or threatened. How long will we continue making excuses instead of acting on it?”
Both Jacobs and Damaseau drew attention to the Treaty of Concordia panel discussion that took place Saturday co-hosted by the Dutch-side Youth Parliament and the French-side Junior Territorial Council, and shared with the audience some of the proposals that were made following the debates.
Gibbs in his address talked of the health situation and his concerns over the travel restrictions. He emphasised the need for multilateral discussions via the quadripartite meetings (Q4s) to be held as soon as possible.
“Perhaps there will be, in the coming weeks, a window of opportunity for such a meeting, since the legislative elections in Holland have just been courageously held a few days ago despite the threats of a potential third wave of the [COVID-19 – Ed.] virus.”
Expanding on Jacobs’ speech, Gibbs said a French and Dutch United Congress, bringing together on an equal footing the executives of the two parties (Executive Council of French St. Martin and government of Dutch St. Maarten) would undoubtedly constitute the appropriate political tool.
“And this, in order to be able to progress together, to define priorities, to retain half a dozen subjects and to set a programme of actions to be carried out in the medium term. The mode of operation of this political body has yet to be defined together. Our Collectivité has made a commitment by proposing a first draft for reflection.
“The prime minister sent me a few days ago a draft of intent and I warmly thank her for it. This text will be carefully examined by my services. The Collectivité of St. Martin will therefore make its suggestions in the coming days.
“I will meet in the process my Executive Council to discuss this project. I would like this document to be officially signed, perhaps right here, and as soon as possible. This will be an opportunity to set up a steering committee intended to bring the United Congress project to completion as quickly as possible.
“This working group would include technicians from our two territories, assisted by consultants: those on the Dutch side from the European Development Fund (EDF) and those on the French side from the Mission Opérationnelle Transfrontalière (MOT).”
He said he hopes the United Congress can be set up, informally to begin with, as soon as possible. Ideally, the first session could be held on September 7, 2021, a symbolic date four years after Hurricane Irma. This would convey new hope – an accelerated rebirth, in unity, consultation and harmony.
Other speeches on the theme of the treaty were given by Dutch-side Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Rodolphe Samuel and Governor Eugene Holiday, and French-side Préfet Serge Gouteyron.
The cultural dance and entertainment segments included “Wilhelmus” sung by Helen Hart, “La Marseillaise” sung by Natisha Hanson and “O Sweet Saint-Martin Land” by Benjamin Bell. Melissa Fleming recited a poem titled “1648-1868”. This was followed by the laying of a wreath by the dignitaries. Bell and Hanson collaborated on the song “Saint Martin is my Home” to close the ceremony.
