Pre-UK ministerial meeting wraps up in Turks and Caicos

Anticipated consequences of the U.K. ‘Brexit’ vote was the major topic of discussion this week as British Overseas Territories leaders gathered in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin joined fellow territorial representatives at the two-day pre-Joint Ministerial Council meeting, held each year ahead of meetings with the U.K. foreign office in London.

On Wednesday, the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s EU department chief Richard Wood told Caribbean lawmakers that London would “ensure a consultative process will be put in place” between the U.K. and its overseas territories as Britain moves further toward its departure from the European Union.

In late June, British voters decided to leave the union via a narrow vote in a national referendum. The change led U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron to step down and has led to a number of questions about Britain’s economic and political future.

“Much is still unknown as to a final deal between the U.K. and the EU,” a statement from Premier McLaughlin’s office indicated. “Other concerns included security, free movement of people, potential impacts to business and trade, as well as any possible negative impact on the world economy.”

The meeting continued Thursday, giving all territorial heads of government a chance to discuss political and constitutional issues relating to the U.K. relationship that all currently maintain.

This meeting precedes the Joint Ministerial Council, held this year in London between Oct. 31 and Nov. 4.