MINISTERIAL STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER
DR. THE HON. EWART F. BROWN JP, MP
ON A MEETING OF THE HEADS OF GOVERNMENT OF THE OVERSEAS TERRITORIES
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS, 9TH JUNE 2008

20th June 2008

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to advise this Honourable House that I attended the now annual meeting of the heads of Government of the Overseas Territories, this year hosted by the Hon. Dr. Michael Misick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Mr. Speaker, by way of information, Overseas Territories agreed some years ago that a meeting in June to set and agree the agenda for the annual meeting in London later in the year was most beneficial and ensured that we as Territories were of one accord.

This year’s agenda Mr. Speaker included a number of Regional issues in which I am pleased to say Bermuda had the opportunity of providing valuable insight.

As a matter of general discussion we spoke at length regarding the constitutional changes in some of the territories and shared Bermuda’s experience in the area of securing Entrustments from the British Government in the conduct of matters ordinarily related to foreign affairs.

Mr. speaker, I was pleased to share with the body our highly developed Emergency Measures Organisation structure and can say that those present found it a useful model to meet their own challenges of co-ordination in the event of a natural disaster and of course in the area of preparedness for such an event.

Mr. Speaker, as Territories we were united in our interest in assessing the implementation of the UK’s White Paper, “Partnership for Progress.” Honourable Members will recall that this document emanated from the UK in what was meant to be a new means of dealing with the remaining Overseas Territories. My fellow Heads of Government shared their own experiences with the promises made in this document and on the basis of a common theme we agreed that a review of this document and the relationship it was meant to foster was required.

An exciting initiative shared by my colleague from the Cayman Islands was the commencement of a civil service college for the Region. Mr. Speaker, it is intended that this centre would provide enhanced training in public sector administration for public officers and would be available to Bermudians also for training.

Mr. Speaker, like most nations the Overseas Territories has concerns in the area of forensic, police and witness protection issues. These were similarly discussed and I am pleased to advise this Honourable House that agreement on furthering Regional cooperation in addressing these issues was achieved.

Mr. Speaker, we have agreed an agenda for our meetings in London in late October and those topics will shortly be shared with the FCO.

Mr. Speaker, this meeting was most productive and demonstrated a constant move for self determination among the Territories as in each case, issues of a constitutional nature were in train and at every turn local government is set to be strengthened as the successful economies of the Territories cause more of their citizens to seek greater voice in decisions affecting their futures.

Thank you Mr. Speaker.