UK Minister for the Overseas Territories Henry Bellingham, hosted the
Overseas Territories Consultative Council Wednesday in London. Premiers, chief
ministers and other elected representatives from Britain’s Overseas Territories attended.
The Council is held annually in London and provides a
forum for consultation with British Government Ministers.
At this year’s council, the first under the UK
coalition government, the agenda included a wide-ranging discussion on the
UK/Overseas Territories relationship; as well as sessions on specific issues
such as criminal justice; transport safety and security; the environment;
financial services and public finances; and passport issues.
“This Government values its relationship
with our Overseas
Territories,” Mr.
Bellingham said. “I had meetings with all the territory leaders on Tuesday and
chaired my first Overseas Territories Consultative Council on Wednesday. I was
pleased to welcome over 250 guests to a reception that I hosted in honour of
Territory leaders. Our discussions at the Consultative Council meeting have been
wide-ranging, open and at times, frank.
“This week has been a clear demonstration
of the desire of both the UK and the Territories to work
closely together towards the security and prosperity of the Territories. I know
that view is shared by my Ministerial colleagues. I am glad that no less than
seven of my Ministerial colleagues from across Government were able to attend
the Consultative Council.”
The UK and Overseas Territories represented at the council
discussed a number of issues of mutual interest and concern. The Caribbean Territories welcomed the important
emergency assistance provided by the Atlantic Patrol Task (North) during the
recent hurricane season. Mr. Bellingham noted that the coalition government had
restarted the vital air access project for St Helena and had agreed to provide
assistance for Tristan da Cunha’s harbour.
All parties agreed on the need to work together to
help the commercial and economic development of the territories.
During the criminal justice session there were
discussions about rising crime in some of the territories; about drugs and
organised crime; and about possible UK technical assistance to the
territories in these areas. In the session on transport there were discussions
about maritime and aviation safety regulations; and the importance of meeting
international safety standards. Territory leaders raised concerns about the cost
of this and about air passenger duty.
During the session on the environment, it was agreed
that territory governments and relevant UK departments would work together to
help manage the natural environment and the impact of climate change in the
territories, including highlighting examples of good practice and successes
already achieved in the territories.
During the session on passport issues, the
UK and the overseas
territories discussed arrangements for handling the printing of passports in
light of the UK government’s
decision to repatriate to the UK the printing of all British
passports.
During their separate session on financial services
and public finances, the UK
and the Caribbean territories and Bermuda
agreed:*T
*The importance of complying
with international financial sector standards (on tax transparency, financial
regulation and anti-money laundering/counter terrorism financing) and that these
standards must be applied without discrimination*(T
*The importance of continuing
to take action to return public finances to a sustainable
footing*T
*To take forward work on a
framework for fiscal responsibility
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A full British passport holder has all rights that every single citizen in Britain has…
So be careful Mr. Bush, there are eyes watching you now….