COLLECTIVITE DE SAINT-MARTIN: press release
Credit Photo: COLLECTIVITE DE SAINT-MARTIN - DIRECTION DE LA COMMUNICATION
The President of the Collectivité, Alain Richardson, met on Friday, May 18, 2012 with a delegation of from Anguilla, led by the Governor, His Excellency Governor Alistair Harrison and the Chief Minister, Mr. Hubert Hughes. The meeting, which was requested by Anguilla centered on the April 18th 2012 Order issued by the French Government that set new rules as to visa requirements for foreigners entering the territories of both the Collectivité Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin.
After welcoming the officials each one in his capacity and their respective delegation, President Richardson has recapitulated the reason for the meeting. In his introductory words, the President has deemed it necessary to stress what could be the immediate consequences derived from the immediate enforcing of this order. To do so, he has once more emphasized the importance of the nature of the longstanding relationship between Saint-Martin and Anguilla. He did so by highlighting the similarities between the surnames of the families that constitute the population of the Northern coast of the island of Saint-Martin and those of the families that constitute the population of Anguilla. “Blood is thicker than water”, this cannot be disregarded. He went on to remind all attending that today still, the Anguillans have to come to St Martin for medical treatment. The island of Saint-Martin has enjoyed a level of economic development which has caused it to play a leading provider’s role of goods and services for the population of the neighboring island territory. This role has caused Saint-Martin to derive significant benefits which it cannot afford to lose at this point. The President reiterated that the immediate implementation of this measure would not be without negative effect on the economy of the entire territory and particularly on the economy of the Galisbay Commercial Port that enjoys the business associated with the transportation of passengers and freight to and from Anguilla through its facilities. Before concluding President Richardson also stated that even for the people of Saint-Martin the immediate implementation of this measure could be perceived as inopportune in that relations and family gatherings for occasions of all sorts which were once simple would overnight become complicated and sometimes impossible. The consequences for Anguillan nationals are real but they also are consequent for the economy of Saint-Martin.
Under the new order, holders of British passports on which the nationality mentioned on the page of personal data is not “British Citizen”, must have a visa to enter Saint-Martin. In fact, Anguillan citizens who are in possession of a local Anguilla Passport instead of the European Union passport must apply for a visa if they want to come to the French side of Saint Martin. Chief Minister Hubert Hughes in his statement during the meeting requested that a moratorium be placed on the enforcement this order which he deemed contrary to the good relations existing between the two islands and to the common interest of both territories to facilitate the exchange of people, goods and commerce. In addition, Mr. Hughes explained that most Anguillans, who possessed the local Anguilla passport were in fact eligible for the European passports as British citizens. Many he continued had not applied for the EU passport because of logistical, financial or simple expediency. He explained that those wanting the EU passport were required to apply to Britain for the document. In addition the EU passport was considerably more expensive than the local passport, especially for those who only require a travel document to come to Saint Martin.
Préfet Délégué Philippe Chopin who explained that he understood the concerns of the Anguillan delegation noted that the order had come as somewhat of a surprise to his services as well, especially, since it did not originate out of any local concern. He explained that, in fact, before the change of government in France he had already addressed a letter seeking instruction on the issue. Now that there was a new Minister of Overseas he would expedite the request. In the mean time, Mr. Chopin has indicated his willingness to postpone the application of the order pending instructions from the new Minister, Mr. Lurel.
Both Chief Minister Hughes and Governor Harrison expressed satisfaction with the Préfet’s decision and the hope that there would be a positive outcome from the Minister on the subject.
The Anguillan delegation was composed of H.E. Governor Alistair Harrison, the Hon. Chief Minister Hubert B. Hughes, the Hon. Walcott Richardson – Minister of Home Affairs, the Permanent Secretary of Home Affairs Aurjul Wilson, the Permanent Secretary of Economic Development Foster Rogers, Ms. Claire Haskins of the Attorney General’s Office.
The Préfet Délégué was accompanied by his Chief of Cabinet, Matthieu Doligez.
President Richardson was accompanied by the Director General of Services, Pascal Averne, Alex Richards -Chargé of Cooperation and European Affairs, Felicia Baly-Stanford- President’s Cabinet and the Director of the Port Services, Albéric Ellis.
