The Treaty of Concordia’s 370-year existence on March 23 was marked by the Collectivité’s Youth Territorial Council in cooperation with Collège Mont des Accords (see Tuesday paper). Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin also mentioned it in last week’s Council of Ministers press briefing on the eve of the anniversary, saying her government strives to live the principles in the document used to divide the island between France and the Netherlands at the time.
A strong desire to celebrate that historic date is not really felt because the agreed-on peaceful co-existence with freedom of movement for persons and goods already gets the necessary attention each November 11 on St. Maarten/St. Martin or St. Martin/St. Maarten Day, depending on which side’s turn it is to host the official ceremonies. Still, it’s important that residents and especially youngsters continue to learn about the international treaty considered the oldest one worldwide still applied and its significance to the island’s unique dual-nation character.
Moreover, the document ought to be in the minds of representatives of both the Dutch and French sides whenever they discuss cooperation across the open border, but also their respective ties with Europe. It should not be so that politicians and public administrators in The Hague and Paris are deciding about these overseas territories without being fully aware of the special relationship between the Northern and Southern parts, including its day-to-day implications.
Of course, modern national and European laws, rules and regulations can sometimes conflict with the old treaty’s text. Finding practical local solutions in such situations without eroding the content’s meaning in the best general interest deserves support from all parties concerned.
The many challenges Hurricane Irma’s onslaught presented merely reaffirmed the need to work together and address common problems jointly where possible or at least do so in good understanding. Two separate countries may be involved, but it’s very much one people.
