BRUSSELS--St. Maarten is one of 21 countries/territories that signed a nine-point political declaration earlier this week in Brussels during the 2012 Overseas Countries and Territories Association's (OCTA) Ministerial Conference.
The political declaration covers partnership between the EU and OCTs; management of OCTs affairs; long term technical assistance to OCTA; partnership working party; territorial Strategies for innovation and regional projects; environment and climate change; trade; equal treatment for all OCTs, and rights of OCT Citizens.
Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams said OCTs noted with deep concern the global financial crisis and economic recession that has caused considerable disruption to the economies of the European Union (EU) and OCTs. That disruption has also constrained the resources of the EU and has increased OCTs vulnerability making the future relationship with the EU even more critical to sustainable development.
OCTs have recognized that the EU has taken into account changes and developments in challenges and opportunities for OCTs since the 2001 Overseas Association Decision (OAD) and are working in partnership with OCTs and Member States to increase OCT competitiveness; lessen their vulnerability and strengthen regional cooperation in the framework of the revision of the OAD.
OCTs are non-European countries and territories that have special relations with Denmark, France, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
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