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On the 2 July, the Department for Exiting the European Union hosted its 6th Ministerial Meeting in London, chaired by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department, Robin Walker MP.
The meeting continued discussions on the UK's exit from the EU and the implications that has for Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man.
The Quarterly meetings were established following the UK’s referendum in June 2016 and enables important discussion between the President of the Policy & Resources Committee, the Chief Ministers of Jersey and the Isle of Man, and the Department for Exiting the European Union on the implications of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
Pictured: Many of those at the meeting attended the British Irish Council in Guernsey last month, including Minister Walker.
The Chief Ministers and Minister Walker were also joined by the Ministry of Justice Minister with responsibility for the UK’s Constitutional relationship with the Crown Dependencies, The Rt Hon Lord Keen of Elie QC.
“We are now just over two years since the UK referendum and it remains increasingly important to ensure that the Bailiwick’s interests, whether it be part of the negotiations or as part of the Future Economic Partnership, are clearly understood and are taken into consideration as part of the wider EU/UK negotiations," Deputy Gavin St Pier said.
"Today’s meeting has been extremely valuable. We have discussed the outcomes of the recent UK/EU negotiations held in June and have been able to work through and assess the Bailiwick’s readiness planning for Brexit to ensure that the Islands are prioritising our legislative and operational preparedness in line with the UK and other Crown Dependencies.
"In addition, we have been able to ensure that the Islands’ high level objectives, as part of the Future Economic Partnership in relation to trade, whether that be for goods or services, are understood so that they can be considered as part of the wider negotiations."
The items for discussion at the meeting included updates from the UK on the latest developments on negotiations, readiness planning, and the future economic and security partnerships.
During the meeting Minister Walker (pictured) set out how the UK are considering the specific interests of the Crown Dependencies, such as the trade of agricultural and fisheries products and their financial services industries, in the wider exit negotiations.
A joint statement from the representatives of the Crown Dependencies and Minister Walker said:
“Today marked the sixth ministerial quarterly meeting between our governments, and it remains our priority to ensure that we reach a deal which works for the whole British family.
“And today we had a very useful meeting characterised by constructive and honest discussion. The UK government has reiterated its commitment to taking account of the Crown Dependencies’ interests in Exit negotiations, and we will continue to work closely together as negotiations with the EU develop.
“We are not just committed to preserving our mutual longstanding special relationship, but indeed in going further to deepen those bonds.”
Finally, Deputy St Pier added that he was particularly impressed by a series of presentations from representatives across a number of UK government departments – including BEIS, HMT, DIT, DEFRA, DfT, Home Office – which saw the UK able to demonstrate the depth of understanding of the issues which impact Guernsey, "as well as how the UK is honouring its commitment to ensure our interests are properly represented".
"We have also had the opportunity to discuss matters relating to security and how the Bailiwick will continue to interact with the EU in relation to future security matters”.
Today, Sark's government Chief Pleas will vote on whether to enact the Guernsey Brexit law of 2018, to align the island with the rest of the Bailiwick. It is discussing a copy of Guernsey's law, and would be in the interest of the protecting the island no matter the outcome of negotiations with the EU.
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