The Premier is in London with the Minister of Finance for the annual Joint Ministerial Council which will see the leaders of the Overseas Territories (OT) engaging in a series of bilateral meetings and joint sessions on issues as varied as climate change and the impact of the coronavirus on OT economies. 

Premier David Burt today chaired a meeting of United Kingdom Overseas Territories Associations (UKOTA), the political council of OT Heads of Government. 

The Premier said: “Today’s discussions highlighted how similar our experiences with the pandemic have been and sets the stage for the formal commencement of the JMC tomorrow.” Overseas Territories Leaders discussed the issues that will be raised in this week’s Joint Ministerial Council Meeting with the U.K. Government ministers and officials. 

The Premier continued: “Over the next two days the Heads of Government will make use of the opportunity to address critical issues like the impact of Brexit and the continuing fight to grow our financial services sector.”

The Premier and Minister of Finance will travel to Brussels for meetings with EU officials, before the Premier hosts dinners with Bermudian students studying in the U.K. prior to his return to Bermuda.

At the UKOTA Political Council meeting all persons were required to take a rapid antigen test prior to attending. All meetings during the Premier and Minister of Finance’s visit will be conducted under strict, covid-safe, guidelines.