Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 22, 2016 (SKNIS): The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis values the strong bonds with neighbouring Dutch territories which has been a successful model, as stated by the Honourable Mark Brantley, Minister of Foreign Affairs, on “Working for You” on Wednesday, January 20.
In response to a question about improved relations with countries such as St. Maarten, Saba, and Statia (St. Eustatius), Minister Brantley noted although there are no formal ties, the relationship remains positive.
“I think that what we have with those islands that you have identified over the years is a very real people to people diplomacy,” said Minister Brantley. “People to people contacts which is really the best form because everybody I know in St. Kitts and Nevis has somebody in St. Maarten, has traveled and has some contacts there, Saba and Statia similarly.”
Minister Brantley expressed his amazement at the number of Nevisians living in St. Eustatius. “The reality I think is that that connection is there.”
He touched briefly on the topic of border security with the Dutch Islands, stating that it is an important issue for the Federation.
“What I can say is that I do know we are trying to work out fisheries maritime boundary arrangements with the Dutch Islands,” he said, adding that some work was previously done in this regard and the expectation would be that the work would continue to a successful conclusion.
The foreign affairs minister stated that the people of the Dutch Islands are important to the Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis. He noted that the twin-island Federation has always had integration with the Dutch Islands long before there was any formal talk of integration.
The Dutch Caribbean are the six island countries and municipalities of the Kingdom of the Netherlands that are located in the Caribbean. These include Aruba, Curacao, St. Maarten, Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba.
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