ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, January 10th, 2012  --  As Overseas Territories, appropriate relationships must be forged with the United Kingdom. In 1999, what is known as the “White Paper” which outlined the features of the existing relationship was published after a degree of consultation with the Overseas Territories.

Ever so often these relationships must be revisited and we have come to such a point in 2011/2012. As BVIslanders and residents we again have the opportunity to review the partnership that was formally established more than a decade ago.

We welcome this opportunity as it enables us to be very much involved in charting the way forward. The initial step was to agree the manner in which this new relationship would be developed.

Now as a next step, a series of questions is being asked that would require your participation. Questions relating to the challenges facing the Territory, cooperation with the United Kingdom, governance’ financial management and economic planning lead the list. We are also expected to address matters related to external support and cooperation between Territories.

Six questions will be asked of you over the next three days through GIS press releases which additionally name the contact person to whom responses should be sent.

To date, you have been very responsive to our stakeholder consultations. This is yet another opportunity for you to let your voices be heard as we collectively share our views with Her Majesty’s Government on these issues. It would be heartening when we return to you- and we shall - to report on the findings – to have you say with conviction, “I played a part in that important activity.”

I therefore encourage all residents of this Territory to respond in whatever way you see fit, to the issues raised in the White Paper.
   

*************************
DISCLAIMER

 
This article was posted in its entirety as received by SKNVibes.com. This media house does not correct any spelling or grammatical error within press releases and commentaries. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of SKNVibes.com, its sponsors or advertisers