Inter-parliamentary Kingdom Consultation

The Interparlimentary Kingdom Consultation ended successfully after 5 days of intense open discussions. St. Maarten can be assured that her best interest was placed as priority from the delegation that was present. Our people can look forward to the following developments that derived from ongoing discussions in previous IPKO meetings, repayment of school tuitions to DUO in the US currency, scholarship funding for studies in the region, cooperation with other islands in Energy related issues, participation in the upcoming Health Care Congress and the possibility for an Inter-island Ferry Transportation system. The highlight of the meeting that proved to be challenging and intense is the development of a Dispute Regulation. Such a regulation is needed and vital especially in cases where there are differences within the kingdom. This sort of regulation will level the playing field and there will no longer be the notion of “might is right”. The fight to be recognized as an equal in the Kingdom will always be a struggle for the former Antilles unless the government and the people decide otherwise.

It is important for the people of St. Maarten to understand that there is a struggle for power and this was evident on the subject matter of establishing a dispute regulation. A consensus was finally found leading to the signing of Interparliamentary Appointment list. It is important that delegations attending these consultations come prepared and be unified in echoing one message of their respective country regardless of party faction. A house divided cannot stand. Consultations such as the IPKO are important and in this struggle all hands must be on deck, this includes the people, the government and Parliament.