French Saint Martin Joins OECS

It was an Historical moment for the French part of the Island as the Collectivité of Saint Martin joins the Eastern Caribbean Groupings of Countries  (OECS) as an associate member.  The heads of Government of each of the countries were present on St. Martin on March 18th and 19th for an official Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) 76 Meeting, at which time the accession of the Collectivité of Saint Martin as an associate Member was handled.

The President of the Collectivité Louis Mussington and the OECS Chairman Philip J Pierre signed the agreement as part of the official ceremony marking the inclusion of St. Martin as an associate member of the OECS. Other Countries enjoying the same status as St. Martin includes British Virgin Islands (BVI), Anguilla, Martinique and Guadeloupe.

According to our source, The French Collectivité of St. Martin had formerly submitted an application to join the OECS Membership in 2015 which was subsequently fully endorsed by the French Minister of Foreign Affairs who affirmed that as an associate member, Saint Martin is entitled to participate in the organization’s activities within the areas of compliance with the State of France and its International obligations, particularly those within the frame work of the European Union (EU).

The President of the Collectivité Mr Louis Mussington in his speech, said that St. Martin must position itself in its sphere of influence and make its voice heard among the Caribbean Islands; but when asked by the press to provide clarity on the difference between associate membership and full membership, Mussington gave the example of movement of goods and people as not part of the associate membership but will still be subjected to French Laws when it applies to traveling to and from St. Martin.

The two day historical conference of the OECS ended with a lunch at the Daniella Jeffry Vocational Training School restaurant and a Tour of the Island.

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source: Robert Luckock/Daily Herald.