SXMElections.com

MARIGOT--Forty-seven persons of mixed nationalities from St. Martin and St. Barths became French citizens at a naturalisation ceremony held in the Préfecture on Thursday;

34 were inducted by decree and thirteen by marriage. The thirteen countries represented included Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago, Thailand, Jamaica, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Dominican Republic, Algeria, Brazil, India, Morocco, Guyana and England.

The conference room of the Préfecture was filled to capacity for the ceremony with family members present as well.

Assisting Préfète Anne Laubies in presenting the decrees to the recipients were Senator Guillaume Arnell, Member of Parliament Daniel Gibbs, Préfecture General-Secretary Thierry Mahler, Vice-President of the St. Barths Territorial Council Karine Miot, Commandant of Police aux Frontières Commandant Jean-Luc Deras, and Capitaine Régis Turlan Arto of the Gendarmerie.

“You have chosen to become French citizens and I can assure it is a good decision, nevertheless a big decision,” Préfète Laubies told the gathering. “It is a serious decision, but it shows your willingness to integrate in the community. This is a ceremony that is important for France as well because France becomes enriched by your presence.

“On behalf of the President of the Republic François Hollande and the government that I represent, France is happy to welcome you and wishes you all the best.”

The Marseillaise national anthem was played before the decrees were presented.