Brexit deal covers 'specific CI arrangements'

Friday 16 November 2018

As Theresa May battles to get support for her Brexit deal, Guernsey's most senior politician has welcomed the "reaffirmation" that the UK will try and get specific arrangements put in place for the Crown Dependencies.

That has been one of the key priorities for Deputy Gavin St Pier, as he and others tried to protect the Bailiwick's European interests.

Pictured: You can read the UK's draft Brexit agreement here. 

The Draft Agreement on the UK"s EU withdrawal is available online now, with a number of implications for the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. The Draft Agreement states that:

Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement or in Union law made applicable by this Agreement, any reference in this Agreement to the United Kingdom or its territory shall be understood as referring to:

• (a) the United Kingdom;
• (b)  Gibraltar, to the extent that Union law was applicable to it before the date of entry into force of this Agreement;
• (c)  the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, to the extent that Union law was applicable to them before the date of entry into force of this Agreement
• (d)  the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia in Cyprus, to the extent necessary to ensure the implementation of the arrangements set out in the Protocol on the Sovereign Base Areas of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Cyprus annexed to the Act concerning the conditions of accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic to the European Union;
• (e)  the overseas countries and territories listed in Annex II to the TFEU having special relations with the United Kingdom1, where the provisions of this Agreement relate to the special arrangements for the association of the overseas countries and territories with the Union.

Guernsey's Policy and Resources Committee said the island is "in the best place we can be to manage the implications of Brexit."

P&R President, Deputy St Pier said Guernsey is being kept up to date on the negotiations and he's satisfied that specific arrangements will be in place to protect the Crown Dependencies unique relationships with the EU.

Pictured: Deputy Gavin St Pier. 

"Guernsey and the UK Government remain in regular contact in relation to both the Withdrawal Agreement and the future relationship with the EU," he said.

"I welcome the reaffirmation yesterday that, as set out in the UK’s White Paper in July, the UK will be seeking specific arrangements for Guernsey and the Crown Dependencies, taking account of our existing relationship and arrangements with the EU. The Prime Minister has repeatedly made clear that our interests are not going to be excluded from the ongoing negotiations and I am pleased that continues to be reflected in the UK’s position.

"As noted back in March of this year the Implementation Period being put forward in the Withdrawal Agreement would apply to the Crown Dependencies, maintaining the status quo in most areas including the movement of goods.  It also covers the protection of the rights of EU nationals and of British nationals."

For months now our Civil Contigencies Authority has been liaising local & international stakeholders and suppliers in order to secure supply chains in the case of a no-deal

— Jonathan Le Tocq(@letocq) November 14, 2018

The P&R Member responsible for External Relations is Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq who also confirmed relevant negotiations are continuing this week. 

Pictured top: Theresa May.