Overseas Territories' leaders welcome 'inclusive' talks
By Matthew Taylor
Britain's overseas territories helped set the agenda at this year's annual meeting with the UK Government and Deputy Premier Paula Cox says she likes the arrangement.
Last year the territories threatened to boycott this year's Overseas Territories Consultative Council meeting in London if Governors were allowed to attend.
That dispute seems to have been smoothed over although Governors were still there.
But Britain let the colonies lead the way in talks this week which touched on air safety, combating international corruption, international tax co-operation and criminal justice.
Finance Minister Paula Cox, who chaired a session on the relationship between Governors and elected members and their involvement in crime management strategies, said the meetings have been constructive.
She told The Royal Gazette: "There has been a real attempt by the FCO/OTCC Organising team to be inclusive of the various OTs.
"The Chief Ministers/Premiers have had a say in the agenda. The Chief Ministers/Premiers and, in the absence of the Premier, myself were asked to chair various sessions.
"This inclusion was strategic and also earned kudos amongst the OTs."
Miss Cox, who was accompanied by the Cabinet Secretary and Financial Secretary, said Bermuda could benefit from technical cooperation and collaboration with the FCO and other OTs.
"For example, climate and environmental Issues, regulatory issues pertaining to aviation safety, the relationship with the European Union and OTs and the tax information agreement.
"We were acknowledged for entering into and consummating of the Tax Information Exchange Agreement with the UK."
Meg Munn, Overseas Territories Minister, said: "I was pleased to join the Hon. Paula Cox, the Deputy Premier of Bermuda, in signing a Tax Information and Exchange Arrangement between the UK and Bermuda.
"This is a good example of the partnership and co-operation that exists between the UK and the Overseas Territories."
The UK and the Overseas Territories represented at the Consultative Council agreed to extend the UN Convention Against Corruption to all the Overseas Territories at the earliest opportunity and to promote sustainable environmental policies in each of the Territories.
Also discussed were:
■ shared responsibilities on disaster management
■ working together to improve security and surveillance to control drug and people smuggling
■ immigration and human rights issues
■ access by Overseas Territories citizens to specialist health services in the UK
■ working closely together to drive forward the criminal justice agenda.
