Friday 07 February 2014
Guernsey's Chief Minister, Deputy Peter Harwood, has said that discussions with his Isle of Man and Jersey counterparts have led to further agreement on a number of common objectives.
Speaking in Douglas, following a meeting with Senator Allan Bell MHK and Senator Ian Gorst, Deputy Harwood said:
"We have reinforced our shared objectives on a number of issues - banking reform, beneficial ownership and transparency, and the recent Justice Select Committee report on the Crown Dependencies. In working on these issues together, we are able to make a stronger case in London and in Brussels which will ensure our views are heard clearly and consistently, something which I welcome.
"In addition I welcomed the opportunity to discuss potential solutions to the shared social problems that we face as Island communities. I was also very interested to hear more detail about the changes to the Isle of Man's machinery of government, which were announced at the end of 2013."
Guernsey's new Chief Executive Paul Whitfield was also in Douglas, where he met with his Isle of Man and Jersey counterparts.
Paul Whitfield commented:
"It is very important for me to build strong working relationships with my counterparts in the Crown Dependencies. We share many common challenges, and so it is important to exchange expertise, best practice and where possible resource on public sector reform."
The meeting was the first trilateral meeting of the Crown Dependencies to be held in 2014. Regular meetings also take place at the British-Irish Council summits and the UK Party Political Conferences.
Deputy Harwood commented:
"Frequent dialogue between our three jurisdictions is very important. I look forward to welcoming Allan and Ian to the British-Irish Council summit in Guernsey this coming June."
ENDS
