Saint Martin/Sint Maarten: the border has finally been officially established
Almost four centuries after the island was divided, the border between Saint-Martin and Sint Maarten has now been officially demarcated. On Thursday 16 July, in the National Assembly, MPs examined the bill approving the agreement reached in 2023 between France and the Netherlands.
The boundary between the French and Dutch parts of the island dates back to 1648 with the Treaty of Concordia. However, this customary boundary proved to be legally incomplete. This lack of clarity gave rise to differing interpretations and fuelled a dispute between the authorities, particularly concerning Oyster Pond Bay. This dispute dates back to the 18th century, when the Dutch claimed the entire bay, whilst France claimed a portion of it. It was ultimately the passage of Hurricane Irma in 2017 that prompted the two former colonial powers to accelerate negotiations.
The natural disaster prompted both parties to reach an agreement on the territorial division of Oyster Pond Bay, in order to clarify the applicable law with a view to reconstruction. In May 2023, an agreement signed by France and the Netherlands divided the area in two: the northern zone went to the French side and the southern zone to the Dutch side. The final adoption of the bill on 16 July 2026 brought an end to one of France’s longest-standing territorial disputes, whilst preserving the freedom of movement and unity that characterise the Friendly Island.
