Premier Dr. Orlando Smith travelled to the United Kingdom this week to discuss Brexit with UK politicians and other overseas territory leaders, according to Government Information Services.
The talks represent the second UK-OT Joint Ministerial Council on European Union negotiations.
The premier planned to once again discuss the territory’s main priorities going forward in a post-Brexit world, including freedom of movement for Virgin Islanders throughout the Schengen Area; international trade; EU market access; EU funding; and future relations with Europe.
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 for the Premier’s Office, accompanied Dr. Smith (R-at large) to the UK, according to GIS.
They were also joined by Benito Wheatley, director of the BVI London Office.
Caricom
Additionally, from July 4-6, Dr. Smith attended the 38th Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, which was held in Grenada.
The VI is an associate member of Caricom, whose full members are independent countries.
Several topics were discussed at the conference, including Caricom’s future trading relationship with the UK in a post-Brexit world.
“Heads of government welcomed assurances from the United Kingdom that it would seek to achieve continuity in its trade relationships post Brexit, including those covered by existing EU free trade agreements with third countries such as the CARIFORUM-EU Partnership Agreement,” stated the Caricom post-conference communiqué.
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