Premier Dr. Orlando Smith is in London meeting with ten United Kingdom ministers of government today for the annual Overseas Territories Consultative Council, according to a statement released by the Premier’s Office last week.
“This meeting is critical to the direction of all overseas territories,” Dr. Smith said of the meeting, scheduled to take place Nov. 23-24. “The overseas territories must build a healthy and productive relationship with the British government within the framework of modern partnership.”
A total of ten OT leaders will attend, according to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, including other Caribbean representatives from Anguilla, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Montserrat.
Topping the meeting agenda is the proposed white paper, the document that will set out the relationship between the UK and its OTs.
According to a statement from Henry Bellingham, FCO minister, the white paper is to be published next year after consultations with the OTs. Its focus areas will be strengthening interaction between the UK and OTs; good governance; and improving “the quality and range of support available to the territories,” Mr. Bellingham said.
See the Nov. 24, 2011 edition for full coverage.