Source: The Daily Herald
THE HAGUE–France did not stick to the agreement to maintain a status quo regarding the land border between Dutch St. Maarten and French St. Martin while the negotiations for a final demarcation were not concluded.
The dispute has caused friction between the governments of the two sides and even resulted in a boycott by the St. Maarten Government of the St. Martin Day festivities on November 11, hosted by the French side.
In his reply, Koenders confirmed that there was a “difference of interpretation” about the course of a part of the border between St. Maarten and St. Martin, in particular Oyster Pond Bay. The 1648 Treaty of Concordia, which divides the island into a French and Dutch side, does not specifically define a border, Koenders explained.
Following the signing of the maritime border treaty in April 2016 between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the French Republic, preparations started for negotiations regarding the land border. Oyster Pond Bay is part of these negotiations.
The restaurant and marina located at the pier on the North side has been paying taxes to the Dutch side since its opening and operates under a permit of said country. “Until a few years ago this situation was not contested by the French authorities. To prevent incidents, it was agreed in talks between the Dutch Kingdom, France, St. Maarten and St. Martin to maintain a status quo as long as the border was not formally established,” stated the Minister.
“On October 26, 2016, French authorities carried out an inspection at works on the pier in question. Several persons were taken into custody for a hearing by the French Gendarmes. In the opinion of the Kingdom, the French action infringes on the agreement to maintain a status quo.”
Bosman and Ten Broeke also wanted to know whether the incident had any consequences, in particular for the relations between the Kingdom and France. Koenders replied that both the St. Maarten Government and the Kingdom have formally addressed France on the inspection that was carried out.
The Minister announced that the negotiations to define the land border would start as soon as possible. He added that the relations between the Kingdom and France were “excellent” and that they were not adversely affected by the difference of interpretation regarding the Oyster Pond Bay.
