SXMElections.com

~ Government supports the stance taken by Heineken Regatta. ~

PHILIPSBURG: --- The Government of St. Maarten joins the European Union and its stance against Russia and its decision to invade Ukraine. Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs made the announcement at the Council of Ministers' press briefing on Wednesday. Jacobs said the decision taken by Russia would also affect St. Maarten since the country is part of the European Union through the Kingdom.
The Prime Minister said that St. Maarten joins the Kingdom in condemning these acts of aggression against the people of Ukraine.
Jacobs said that St. Maarten must implement the EU and United Nations sanctions that were imposed on Russia while the technical details and legal aspects are being finalized in Brussels in order for the national implementation can take place.
Jacobs said that the EU in Brussels is busy with the fine print on the technical aspects of how they would support Ukraine.
On Tuesday, the Heineken Regatta has taken the decision not to host Russian and Belarusian teams during this years Heineken Regatta on St. Maarten, in order to maintain the integrity among its competitors.
Asked about the decision taken by the Heineken Regatta Jacobs said that the government of St. Maarten supports the decision taken by the committee. She said that organizations around the world have barred Russian and Belarusian participation thus the government of St. Maarten supports the move made by the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta seeing what is being played out in the public since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Asked what decisions were taken by the government of St. Maarten regarding the yachts that belong to Russian billionaires in St. Maarten waters. Jacobs said for now the EU sanctions do not mention vessels for the moment therefore there is no legal basis to take measures against Russian yacht owners.
The Prime Minister said that since the legal and technical aspects are being finalized in Brussels prior to national implementation. Locally she said a national decree would have to be put in place before anything can be done physically or literally.
While these matters are not yet finalized Prime Minister Jacobs said the matter is very fluid and that St. Maarten is updated daily through its foreign affairs department.