1.   The OECS also agreed to investigate closer economic ties with the French overseas departments of Martinique and Guadeloupe.

2.   The prefects of the overseas departments were instructed to negotiate the proposed reforms with local civil service unions and political parties.

3.   The authorities, including Li Xiaoxue, head of the overseas listing department of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, declined to confirm the story.

4.   The policy kept such unwanteds from returning to the mother country and helped to maintain the population of French Guiana, which is now an overseas department of France.

5.   Although the Netherlands also has overseas departments in the Caribbean, those islands use their own currency.

6.   As an overseas department, Martinique participates in the National Assembly election along with the rest of France.

7.   But voters in this French overseas department may seek a return to their traditional leftist majority, even if they look outside the Progressive Party.

8.   Despite joblessness and relative poverty, the overseas departments are better off than their independent neighbors.

9.   Five Caribbean islands comprise the Dutch Antilles, an overseas department of the Netherlands.

10.   French Guiana is an overseas department of France.