In discussions with United Kingdom leaders last week, Premier Dr. Orlando Smith once again reiterated the main priorities for the Virgin Islands going forward in a post-Brexit world.
Dr. Smith (R-at large) travelled to London and spoke to the House of Lords Select Committee of the European Union on July 10, working in conjunction with other overseas territory leaders to address the potential impacts of Brexit on the OTs.
He also took part in the second UK-OT Joint Ministerial Council on European Negotiations on July 20, according to Government Information Services.
“I am pleased with the constructive conversations I have had this week with the UK government on developing options for replacing EU support lost as a result of Brexit,” Dr. Smith said in a press release. “In particular, I made it clear how important it is for us to maintain access to programmes which will support the prosperity of BVI businesses and BVIslanders and the freedom-of-movement rights which we currently enjoy.”
After last summer’s Brexit referendum cast uncertainty on the territory’s relationship with Europe going forward, the premier has taken several opportunities to stress the importance of freedom-of-movement rights throughout the Schengen Area. Such rights, he’s argued, provide VI citizens with more educational and business opportunities.
Dr. Smith has also repeatedly highlighted the importance of the territory’s access to select pots of EU funding, which often are directed at targeted areas like climate change, sustainable energy, and marine biodiversity. VI government officials have called on the UK to replace these resources should they be lost during the two-year departure negotiations.
In addition, Dr. Smith has addressed the importance of the territory’s free-trade status with Europe. The VI government has also requested to be included in any future free trade deals the UK enters into around the world as the country seeks to form new economic partnerships, according to GIS.
UK and EU officials began to negotiate Great Britain’s departure in earnest on June 19 in Brussels. The UK is scheduled to leave by March 2019.
Brodrick Penn, permanent secretary in the Premier’s Office, accompanied Dr. Smith to the UK, according to GIS. They were also joined by Benito Wheatley, director of the BVI London Office.
{fcomment}