The annual Joint Ministerial Council, held between 28 and
29 November 2017 in London, was also attended by
Ministers from across government, including the
Department for Exiting the EU, the Department for
International Development, Her Majesty’s Treasury, the
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy,
the Department of Health and the Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The talks began with a meeting chaired by the Prime
Minister, , at Downing Street
where she updated leaders on the progress of discussions
with the European Union and discussed progress on
reforming financial services in the Overseas Territories.
The first day of the meetings focused on hurricane relief
and recovery and wider UK programme support for the
Overseas Territories, including a new £70 million package
of recovery and reconstruction support for those islands
hit by devastating hurricanes in September. This package
sits alongside up to £300 million of UK loan guarantees
for territories that need support to access finance.
The second day of discussions covered a range of issues,
including tax transparency and beneficial ownership;
preparations for the 2018 Commonwealth Summit; child
safeguarding; and climate change.
Minister for the Overseas Territories Lord Ahmad said:
It was wonderful to welcome the leaders of the Overseas
Territories once again. The UK is clear that ongoing,
close cooperation with the Overseas Territories is in
our mutual interest.
We continue to be close partners on vital issues such
as climate change and marine protection, and the UK is
working closely with the governments of the Overseas
Territories to deliver real change on health,
corruption and child safeguarding.
The Prime Minister also announced new support for the
Territories worst affected by Hurricanes Irma and
Maria, with £70 million of grants and up to £300
million of loan guarantees to make sure essential
recovery needs can be met.
Minister for Exiting the European Union led discussions on the
progress of exit negotiations and the future Overseas
Territories relationship with the EU.
Minister for Exiting the European Union said:
It was a pleasure to again meet with the leaders of the
Overseas Territories and to continue our close
engagement on shared priorities as we exit the EU.
The UK is responsible for representing the Overseas
Territories’ priorities in exit negotiations and a
clear objective of those negotiations is to achieve a
deal that works for all parts of the UK family. Leaders
and representatives from the following Overseas
Territories attended the two-day
conference in London:
- Anguilla
- Ascension
- Bermuda
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Falkland Islands
- Gibraltar
- Montserrat
- Pitcairn
- St. Helena
- The Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia
- Tristan da Cunha
- Turks & Caicos Islands
