PHILIPSBURG--Members of Parliament (MPs) have deferred discussions about the new tax treaty between St. Maarten and the Netherlands until they can hear from Finance Minister Martin Hassink.
The treaty, said to be in conformity with internationally accepted regulations, was on the agenda of Tuesday's Central Committee sitting in Parliament House. However, independent MP Cornelius de Weever said he had questions about the treaty, especially the effects of it on St. Maarteners who studied or worked in the Netherlands and have decided to return home.
De Weever's concerns and call for Hassink to come to Parliament was supported by several other MPs.
Hassink is expected to appear in Parliament before October 8 - the deadline for St. Maarten to give its comments on the treaty that will replace the outdated one.
The draft treaty was discussed two weeks ago in a sitting of Parliament's Committee for Kingdom Relations and Inter-Parliamentary Affairs. Hassink was present to give MPs the basics of the treaty.
A similar treaty is on the table for ratification between Curaçao and the Netherlands.
