The Caribbean Sea’s Leeward Islands include Saint Martin. It is split into two different nations by its southern Dutch part, Sint Maarten, and its northern French edge, Saint-Martin. Both crowded tourist coastlines and isolated bays can be found on the island. Additionally, it is well known for its fusion of food, exciting nightlife, and duty-free stores that offer jewelry and alcohol.
The dual identity of the island
Due to the island’s split nature, there is some dispute regarding the proper spelling of the name: the French portion of the island is spelled Saint Martin, while the Dutch side, which is a component of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is termed Sint Maarten. However, there are numerous misspellings everywhere.
Diplomatic relations of Saint Martin
The Netherlands and France make the majority of the legislative judgments for Sint Maarten and Saint Martin, respectively. The island is, nevertheless, free to decide how to handle its international relations. The nations with which Saint Martin has diplomatic ties are listed below.
India
Although there hasn’t been much governmental material, ties with India have been friendly. There is intermittent trade, primarily through imports by the island’s Indian-originating population. This transaction does not considerably help the exports because it is rarely intended for local use but instead for re-export within the neighborhood. Following the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands addressed a letter of sorrow to the Honorary Consul of India in Curacao, which was affirmed by the Embassy.
Canada
The Canadian Consulate in The Hague, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is the country’s representative in Sint Maarten. The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ottawa and it’s honorary consular in Toronto and Vancouver are responsible for representing the island in Canada. The Foreign Office of Canada in Barbados handles practical issues like international protection for Canadians on the island and commerce and investment issues between both countries.
An air travel contract and a tax record-sharing pact are still in effect between both nations. Sint Maarten is included in the scope of the Mutual Operational Aid in Immigration Issues Treaty between the Governments of Canada and the Netherlands. Both nations also collaborate in Project CARIBBEAN, a global anti-drug initiative that aims to disrupt pathways for illegal drug smuggling in the Caribbean.
United States
The day-to-day administration of ties with the Dutch Caribbean, which consists of Aruba, Bonaire, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Martin, is the responsibility of the U.S. Consulate General in Curacao. The embassy offers a range of facilities to American residents who want to come to the country temporarily to travel, trade, or research. In 1793, the embassy was established. Its early establishment reflects the significance of Caribbean commerce to the fledgling U.S. The city authority gave the United States the famous Roosevelt Mansion in 1950 as a token of appreciation for American support during World War II. It now serves as the home of the foreign minister.
Although permits are not necessary for U.S. national visitors, the Kingdom of the Netherlands is in charge of managing the permits and visas to the island.
Treaty of Concordia
The earliest diplomatic agreement that is still in effect is the Agreement of Concordia. According to the pact, the French must remain in the area where they are presently located and shall occupy the entire coastline that faces Anguilla. The contract further stipulates that the Dutch shall possess the fort’s sector and the land around it on the south coast. Any violation of this pact is penalized by the rules of war, and the French and Dutch settlements on the aforementioned island coexist as friends and allies.
The parties to the agreement are required to provide aid and support to one another if opponents attack either one of them.
Any accusations one side may have against the other must also be presented to the Kingdom of Holland as well as the King of France. Neither of the aforementioned sides shall be permitted to build defenses without conforming with the aforesaid contract and making appropriate reimbursement to the other side.
