Just before the start of the Christmas holiday season, Hubert Nijgh, Chairman of the Stichting Koopvaardijpersoneel 1940–1945, paid a courtesy visit to Her Excellency Drs. Gracita Arrindell, Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten in The Hague. Before the outbreak of World War II, the Netherlands had one of the largest and most modern merchant fleets in the world with over 1100 hundred seagoing vessels. Many of those ships and their crews were deployed for Allied war purposes during the war. The discussion focused on the significant contribution of the merchant navy during the Second World War. Merchant vessels played a [...]

On Monday, 15 December, the Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten attended the celebration of Kingdom Day 2025 at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. Also present were the Minister Plenipotentiary of Curaçao, Mr. Manuel Carlson, and Ms. Shandra John representing the Aruba House. Kingdom Day commemorates the signing of the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands on 15 December 1954 and marks the foundation of the Kingdom as it exists today, based on equality, cooperation, and shared responsibility between its countries. This year’s theme, “From Past to Connection: Building the Future Together,” framed an inspiring programme that brought [...]

During the 36th InterExpo Kingdom Relations Congress, held under the theme “Fifteen Years After 10/10/10,” the Honorable Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, Dr. Luc F.E. Mercelina, delivered a landmark presentation titled “15 years of Constitutional Autonomy.” Speaking before Kingdom officials, scholars, and regional leaders, the Prime Minister urged participants to look beyond the last fifteen years and instead examine 170 years of constitutional interventions, restructuring, and negotiation that shaped the Kingdom of the Netherlands and, critically, shaped Sint Maarten’s present-day reality. Prime Minister Mercelina was accompanied at the congress by the Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten, Drs. Gracita R. [...]

On Wednesday, 10 December, Minister Plenipotentiary Dr. Gracita R. Arrindell attended the holiday reception, hosted by U.S. Ambassador Joseph Popolo and Mrs. Popolo. The reception brought together representatives, partners, and community leaders from across the Kingdom and the Netherlands, offering an opportunity to connect and exchange holiday greetings in a warm and welcoming setting. Reflecting on the occasion, Ambassador Popolo stated: “We, along with our entire Mission team, wish you a joyous holiday filled with all that each of us holds dear.” The Minister Plenipotentiary also expressed her appreciation for the invitation, stating: “On behalf of the Cabinet of [...]

The Government of Sint Maarten has taken another significant step in strengthening our civil service and unlocking funding opportunities with the formal signing of the Certificate of Extraordinary Membership with the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG International). The signing took place immediately following a high-level working meeting between the Government of Sint Maarten and VNG International representatives. Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina was accompanied by a formal delegation which included the Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten, Dr. Gracita R. Arrindell and Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, Mr. Stuart Johnson. Their presence affirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening [...]