The Department of Foreign Relations of Sint Maarten

We are pleased to share that the U.S Consul general of the Dutch Caribbean, Mr. John Macnamara officially presented his credentials to the Prime Minister of St. Maarten, Dr. Luc Mercelina on his recent visit to St. Maarten.

PM Dr. Mercelina Attends UN General Assembly: Advocating for Sint Maarten’s Future

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A Cooperation meeting was held with Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina and French officials, President of the Colectivite Louis Mussington and Prefect Vincent Berton on preparations for the 2024 Hurricane season, border agreements, water networks, green monkey overpopulations and other areas of mutual interest.

On Sunday 14 July, members of the Government of Sint Maarten attended the Bastille Day Fete de National in Marigot. Among those attending from the Dutch side were the Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, Acting Governor Dr. Emiko-Bird-Lake and President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams. The official celebration started with an ecumeical church service at the Catholic church in Marigot followed by the official parade on rue de la Republic. After was the wreath laying ceremony at the Memorial Monument of the Collectivite then the official speeches and award ceremony at the Front de mer. The official ceremonies ended with a toast and reception.

Prime Minister of St. Maarten Leads Delegation to UN Commission on the Status of Women: Advocates for Domestic Violence Prevention

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Did you miss our Concordia Day Message? On March 23rd we commemorated 375 years of the sharing of our 37 square-mile island by the French and the Dutch. At times a sensitive topic, we chose to mark this day not as one of division but of undeniable uniqueness!

Announcement: Princess Juliana International Airport has continued closure as of today Saturday 17th September and will reopen on Sunday 18th September at 7:00am.

Announcement -
Due to the passing of Tropical Storm Fiona, Princess Juliana International Airport will be closed on the 16th of September at 6:00pm and reopen on 17th of September 2022 at 11:00am.

Please check with your airline for further flight details regarding your flight to and from St. Maarten.

Border negotiations between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the French Republic recommenced at the technical level at the end of 2021 in the Hague. Following years of discussion, including several technical meetings, this meeting was successful in agreeing a baseline for negotiations to commence on the border of our island in September 2022. Sint Maarten, represented by Interim Director of Mr. Patrice Gumbs Jr. (far right) and Legal Advisor Mr. Rogelio Voges (6th left), both from the Department and Mr. Rob Boekhold, Chief Surveyor at the Cadaster Office (2nd right), joined the Kingdom delegation, pictured here with representatives of the French delegation.

Mr. Jason Richardson (center), Protocol Officer at the Directorate of Foreign Relations, attended a week-long training in Brussels. As part of the duties of the Department, the protocol officers ensure that the privileges and immunities afforded to officials, many enshrined in international conventions, are safeguarded and respected. They are often the first, last, and sometimes only direct interaction with our government that a visiting foreign dignitary may have. In this regard, protocol officers fill a vital representative role for Sint Maarten!

Mr. Patrice Gumbs Jr., Interim Director of the Directorate of Foreign Relations (center left) travelled to Miami to meet with Ms. Hanneke Schuiling, Director General for Foreign Economic Relations (left) during and Ms. Danielle Van Mulukom, Head of International Enterprise at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (right) during their visit to Miami. The meeting, organized by Mrs. Ruth Emmerink, Consul General of the Kingdom in Miami (center right), focused on two pillars: improving representation of the Caribbean countries in the Kingdom and in particular building on the relationship between the Consulate and the islands. Miami remains a key spoke in the economy of Sint Maarten. Mr. Gumbs discussed opportunities to expand US-St. Maarten trade and investment.