The Honourable Osbourne Fleming, Chief Minister, is leading a delegation to the 8th Overseas Territories Consultative Council (OTCC) accompanied by the Hon. Victor Banks, Minister of Finance.

On Sunday 19th November, Chief Ministers from the Caribbean Overseas Territories met in caucus and considered issues that are unique to the region with the view of identifying commonalties and developing common positions on these issues prior to the Consultative Council meeting which began today.

On Monday 20th November the C.M. had a bilateral meeting with Lord Triesman of Tottenham, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Minister, at the FCO. The Chief Minister reminded Lord Triesman that he had not yet visited Anguilla and extended an invitation to him to attend the 40th Anniversary celebrations of the Anguilla Revolution next year. He requested assistance from HMG on the relocation of H.M. Prison, as well as technical assistance to develop the management capacity of the prison with an emphasis on providing training for managers and staff. Mr. Fleming notified the FCO Minister that the Government of Anguilla will require a further extension of the contracts of the British police that have been assigned to the Royal Anguilla Police Force beyond March 2007.

Additionally, the C.M. requested that the annual quota established under the reciprocal health arrangement be raised from five (5) to ten (10) where persons referred by the Government of Anguilla to the National Health Service in England receive free medical attention for major medical conditions. The FCO Minister and the C.M. also discussed the role of Government Ministers with regard to the appointment of senior civil servants up to the post of Deputy Governor.

Mr. Fleming pointed out to Lord Triesman that there was an urgent request for HMG to consider Anguillian students who wish to study in the U.K. to have similar privileges in this regard as British Citizens residing in the United Kingdom. He particularly requested that the residency requirements for Anguillian students be waived.

On Tuesday 21st November HMG announced that effective September 2007 British Overseas Territory Students including those from Anguilla interested in furthering their education in England can access the education system there with the same benefits and tuition structure as

U.K. students. The Chief Minister and his fellow Overseas Territories Heads of delegation expressed their gratitude to HMG for its change in policy in this regard.

The OTCC meeting concludes tomorrow 22nd November. Items on the agenda include Aviation and Maritime Security Issues, Good Governance and Ethics, Human Rights, Criminal Justice Strategy, Climate Change/Disaster Preparedness, and Combating International Corruption.

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