Sunday November 11, French and Dutch parties were gathered in Quartier d'Orléans to celebrate Saint-Martin's Day, a traditional and patronal feast commemorating the discovery of the island by Christopher Columbus in 1493.
After attending an ecumenical ceremony at the Methodist Church of the Tabernacle, the authorities of Saint Martin and Sint Maarten went to the border monument for the wreath laying and then reached the parking lot of the Thelbert Carti stadium where seven speeches were made. Leona Marlin-Romeo, Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, began this series of speeches. The unity of the island, symbolized by the flag that she wore as a scarf around her neck, is illustrated according to her by "a real and tangent cooperation" between the North and the South. Daniel Gibbs, the president of the Collectivité succeeded him at the desk and described the territory of Saint-Martin as “Europe before Europe”. "Our duty is to further develop this cooperation," he added before discussing his plan for a United Congress, a joint Parliament for the two parts of the island. Senator Guillaume Arnell also celebrated the unity of the island. “One island, one people, one destiny. No matter what, nothing or noone should ever divide us ”. Sarah Wescott Williams, President of the Parliament of Sint Maarten recalled: “I do not remember, since I have been in politics, having missed a single celebration of Saint-Martin's Day. I participated even when I was the only one from Sint Maarten to do so ”. “Irma has given a new impetus to our cooperation,” declared MP Claire Guion-Fermin. The governor of the Dutch side, Eugene Holiday added: "Saint-Martin's Day reminds us of the value and strength of our common heritage." Finally, the Prefect Sylvie Feucher compared the Treaty of Concordia to the principles of the European Union, emphasizing in particular "avant-garde police and customs cooperation". "Irma reiterated the importance of cooperation" she also considers. And to mention the quadripartite meeting which took place on June 28th.
(More details on www.soualigapost.com)
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