The Chief Minister held separate meetings with the Minister for Overseas Territories in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Lord David Triesman; UK Members of Parliament Gareth Thomas and Geraldine Smith; Baronesses Patricia Scotland and Valerie Amos; and President of the Caribbean Britain Business Council Lord George Foulkes.

The Chief Minister said he discussed the ongoing process of constitutional negotiations with the British Government, particularly that the BVI was seeking constitutional advancement.

In a statement to the Legislative Council last week, the Chief Minister said the reserve powers and selection of the Governor; introduction of a cabinet form of government; separation of the duties of the Attorney General; and enhancement of the public service were among the topics discussed.

In addition, the Chief Minister met with Director General of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery, Ambassador Richard Bernal.

He said they discussed the involvement of overseas territories in the Economic Partnership Agreement that the region is negotiating with the European Commission, and a process for exploring common policy issues and the impact of Economic Partnership Agreements on overseas countries and territories’ financial services.

The Chief Minister said he also discussed the possibility of having a study on the impact of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy and the Economic Partnership Agreements on the Territory’s economy, with both UK and Caribbean officials.

The UK-Caribbean Forum is intended to enable Britain and the English-speaking Caribbean to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern. Previous meetings were held in the Bahamas in 1998, London in 2000, Georgetown in 2002, and London in 2004.