Benefits of EU to UKOTs under threat by 'Brexit' - E. Benito Wheatley
Clegg, Senior Lecturer in Politics University of the West of England, Bristol, said that in recent years the EU has become an increasingly important actor in relation to the UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs), and has the potential to become even more valuable.
“Among other things, a significant volume of some UKOTs external trade is with the EU and thus depends on free access; the financial support provided by the EU assists the Territories in a range of key areas, including economic capacity building and climate change adaptation and mitigation, and sustainable energy development; the free movement of UKOT populations across the Schengen area is an important benefit, and the institutional relationship both with the EU itself and with fellow OCTs (via OCTA) are valuable avenues of influence and cooperation,” the report said.
It said that over the last decade and a half the relationship between the UKOTs and the EU has grown in strength.
It stated that the relationship is beneficial to the UKOTs in terms of economic and environmental cooperation and development assistance and policy dialogue. “UKOTs have access to tens of millions of euros in funding support and enhanced access to the EU market for both goods and services. In terms of making representation in Brussels, the UKOTs have gone from relying heavily on the UK government for access to the EU to developing a stronger and more independent voice in the Union,” it said.
According to the report, this is a positive development as it means the EU is more receptive to the views and interests of the UKOTs. “The effects of these changes have been seen not only in regard to tangible policy outcomes but also in terms of institutional deepening,” the report stated.
The report said that there are still constraints that are limiting further progress, such as the often bureaucratic processes followed by the European Commission or the capacity constraints in some UKOTs that hold back their utilisation of funds in the best and most timely ways possible.
“However, it is clear that the connection between the UKOTs and the EU is a valued one – on both sides – and that there is potential for further growth,” it said.
Chairman of the UKOTA and Director and UK/EU Representative BVI London Office E. Benito Wheatley told this news site that the report was commissioned against the backdrop of the upcoming United Kingdom (UK) referendum on membership in the EU which will take place on June 23, 2016.
“The report highlights the benefits of the EU to the British Virgin Islands and other Overseas Territories. It is important that the relevant stakeholders are aware of the value of the relationship, which could be impacted by the upcoming UK referendum on membership in the EU,” said Wheatley.
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7 Responses to “Benefits of EU to UKOTs under threat by 'Brexit' - E. Benito Wheatley”
If the UK stays in the EU, it will be forced to adopt the Euro. The Pound Sterling currently is and has always been higher than the Euro and switching could make the UK market vulnerable. The Euro is only as strong as the economy of the weakest state (and we've all seen how Greece almost caused a $h!tstorm). All that is purported by the British media is a load of fear mongering to convince the people of Great Britain to stay in the EU when the reality is only the rich upperclass would benefit (as they would exempt themselves from regulation) while the lower would only suffer more under heavier taxation and regulation. Yes, some trade agreements of would have to be negotiated but the British media is reporting it as though all the trades agreements all around the world would have to be renegotiated. As though the UK didn't rule 1/3 of the world once upon a time. As though the UK was floundering until it joined the EU. As though Switzerland (which is not an EU member) doesn't thrive economically and trade with the EU states on a daily basis. By the way, the European Free Trade Association (which was founded in party by the UK) is not the European Union nor is it one of its associated organisation. If the UK leaves the EU it will still be an EFTA member and be able to trade with other members. The truth about the Brexit is the UK has more to gain by leaving and more to lose by staying.
Turkey desperately wants to be a member of the EU despite the fact that the laws of that country and the social climate doesn't align with the current members. It continuously blackmails and extort the EU by threatening to release the Muslim refugees that filter through it's boarder knowing that the other European countries cannot handle the stress such and influx would cause. If the UK stays, it would be force to house more refugees than the economy can support which would cause cultural discord. If you don't believe me, look at Cologne and Frankfurt in Germany, Rotterdam in Holland, Stockholm in Sweden, Brussels in Belgium, Paris in France. Read the reports of how the social climate in these cities have been turned upside down ever since the exodus of the refugees. Read about the terrorist attacks. Read about how women and young girls are being constantly sexually harassed and even raped and are submitting to those indignities because they are afraid of being labelled Islamophobic or promoting hostility towards the refugees. Many of the great thinkers, builders and scientists that founded the Western way of life were Europeans and now their decedents are being cowed into silence by unfounded guilt and shame inflicted upon them. They do not realize that they are being conquered. European society is decaying. The migrant crisis is not an effect of war but a strategic invasion and the UK should get the hell out of dodge while they can. Leaving the EU is a matter of not just economical conservation but social and political conservation as well.
While we cannot vote in this referendum, let us all be rational and realise that we are watching a game of bluffs. This is not school yard politics and if you knew your history, you would understand why it is imperative for the sake of non-Brits to keep the UK in the EU and why the UK would not be automatically outcasted if it decides to stand alone. Since we are an UKOT if the UK wins, we win therefore our alliance should be to the UK, not to the EU. We should want what is best for the UK because if they flourish, we do as well.
Another problem with staying in the EU is its over-regulation in many areas. In a matter of time they will be regulating industries here in the BVI.
As for so-called benefits........"the EU assists the Territories in a range of key areas, including economic capacity building and climate change adaptation and mitigation, and sustainable energy development". Sounds like a lot of waffling about ideas with little value.