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Association President: Netherlands continues to reject all calls to grant independence to St. Martin

06 December 2024 11:14 (UTC +04:00)

"Although the territory of Saint Martin was declared an autonomous province in name on October 2010, this decision, in fact, de jure affirmed colonialism," President of the "One St. Martin" Association, Rhoda Arrindell, said during a presentation at an international conference organized by the Baku Initiative Group, APA reports.

She stated that the occupation of the island by France and the Netherlands in 1627-1631 caused immense harm to the island's people and their socio-political life:

"In 1994, an agreement was signed between France and the Netherlands on joint control of the Saint Martin border. In recent years, significant global political developments have strengthened the independence aspirations of colonial peoples. Although the territory of St. Martin was declared an autonomous province in name on October 2010, this was a de jure affirmation of colonialism. Our continued existence under colonial conditions is directly the responsibility of the United Nations. The Dutch government, its Prime Minister, and Parliament continue to reject all international calls to grant independence to the island."