European Negotiations Council To Be Formed
Following the meetings in London involving the UK and heads of British Overseas Territories — including Bermuda — the Communique has been released, which states that a UK – Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council on European Negotiations will be formed.
The UK referendum in June of this year saw the British vote — by 51.9% — to leave the European Union, with Britain set to be the first country to leave the EU since its formation.
In discussing the impact of Brexit, the Communique said, “The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Exiting the European Union [EU] attended the JMC to discuss the challenges and opportunities for the Overseas Territories of the UK’s decision to exit the EU.
“The UK Government is clear that the referendum result does not change the UK Government’s position on sovereignty over the Territories.
Premier Michael Dunkley with other OT leaders and British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson:
“UK Ministers and OT leaders committed to taking forward future engagement through the creation of the UK – Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council on European Negotiations [JMC – OT EN], to meet in the first quarter of 2017.”
The Communique also covers a number of other topics including constitutional relationships, self-determination, international trade, sustainable economic development, beneficial ownership information, governance, human rights and more.
The UK-Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council 2016 Communiqué is below [PDF here]
