The
Development Planning Unit
Government of the British Virgin Islands Plans

Memorandum of Co-operation and Partnership
between the Government of the British Virgin Islands
and the Government of the United Kingdom

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Introduction

1.   This memorandum sets out the principal aims and objectives which the Government of the British Virgin Islands (BVIG) has set itself in consultation with Her Majesty’s Government (HMG) over the next three years in key areas of government policy, with appropriate targets and performance measurement criteria. It also represents the agreement of HMG for the programme and plans of BVIG.

2.   The memorandum is a tangible instrument created to facilitate the new thrust in co-operation and a modern partnership between the United Kingdom and her Overseas Territories. This co-operation and partnership is aimed at promoting sustainable and integrated development, protecting the environment, participative democracy, good government, respect for human rights and economic autonomy for the British Virgin Islands (BVI) over the medium to long term.

3.   The memorandum is based on deliberations and conclusions reached to date on a National Integrated Development Strategy for the BVI and on discussions by a consultant with representatives of the United Kingdom and BVIG elected representatives and officials between January and May 1998. The discussions focused upon the objectives for the development and good government of the BVI over the next three years.

4.   The parties to this memorandum were guided in their deliberations by the need to ensure that optimum use is made of the resources available to BVI from Government revenue and from the assistance to be provided by HMG, by other governments and by multilateral and non-governmental funding agencies.

Main Elements of the Memorandum

5.   The memorandum summarises the principal aims and objectives of the BVIG for the period 1998-2001 in key areas of government policy. It consists of two parts. The first part identifies the broad principles on which the conduct of the public affairs of the BVI is based and summarises the general commitments of BVIG in this regard. It also outlines the principles being followed by HMG and the commitments to which it subscribes in relation to the partnership programme.

6.   The second part is the BVI memorandum matrix, which sets out in tabular form the agreed policy objectives of BVIG on a sectoral basis. It details the key policy and programme targets and the actions necessary to achieve these. It provides the framework within which BVIG will monitor progress on the implementation of these policies and programmes and for the review of the future use of HMG’s aid and good government funds. It can also be used to provide access to alternative sources of funding.

Principles Guiding the Administration of the BVI

The BVIG confirms that its mission is:

• to mobilise and deliver resources to ensure the health, education prosperity, productivity, cohesiveness and resilience of the people of the BVI in a responsible and integrated manner.

The BVIG confirms that its Vision for the BVI is:

• an economically sound and socially cohesive society that (a) honours and upholds the principles of human rights, good governance and integrated planning to meet the needs and aspirations of all people of the BVI in a global economy through the sustainable development and utilization of its natural and human resources and (b) respects the culture, traditions and customs of the BVI.

The BVIG confirms its commitment to democratic principles of government. These include:

• respect for the rule of law and fundamental principles in the Constitution, including the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms;
• maintenance of human rights standards in accordance with the laws of the BVI;
• maintenance of law and order and social peace and stability;
• representative and participative government including periodic free and fair elections; and
• freedom of speech.

The BVIG commits itself to the principles of responsible, ethical and equitable government. Specifically, it reaffirms its acceptance of the need for:

• accountability in Government;
• the pursuit of sound economic and financial policies aimed at promoting sustainable and integrated development, self-sufficiency and a decent standard of living for the people of the BVI;
• the provision of appropriate services by Government to meet the needs and aspirations of the people of the BVI in a global economy;
• maintenance of a high standard of administration of justice;
• the improvement of existing ties with regional and international organisations;
• the adoption of enlightened social policies to promote the peace, stability and cultural advancement of the community; and
• consultation with the private sector in order to stimulate and promote private sector investment and business expansion in a global economy.

General Principles Guiding HMG

HMG reaffirms its commitment to the following principles:

• The reasonable needs of the BVI and the other United Kingdom Overseas Territories will continue to be a first call on the United Kingdom development programme.

• HMG is responsible through the Governor for external relations, for defence, for upholding the Constitution and the rule of law, for promoting good government in the BVI, for the efficient management of the public service and for other areas of reserved responsibility. It is committed to firm stewardship in the discharge of these functions. The Governor consults to the fullest extent possible within the framework of the Constitution on all these issues.

• HMG shares the BVIG’s objective of achieving economic independence. HMG remains committed to a policy of assisting its Overseas Territories to full independence when and if it is the clearly and constitutionally expressed wish of the people.

HMG’s Commitment

HMG:

• fully supports BVIG’s Vision for the BVI;
• agrees to continue to work with BVIG to achieve their joint objectives and to implement the programme set out in this memorandum;
• accepts that there is a case for further technical assistance to the BVI to enable the Government to achieve its objectives; and
• confirms the availability of emergency assistance for disaster relief.

Co-operation and Partnership

BVIG and HMG commit themselves to work in a spirit of close co-operation and in a strong, secure and lasting partnership to achieve the policy objectives, programmes and targets mutually agreed to in this memorandum. In so doing, they further pledge to maintain regular and open communications and close working relations between the representatives of the two Governments, to observe mutual respect for the positions taken by each partner, to work diligently to implement the programmes in a spirit of joint endeavour and to resolve disputes amicably.

BVIG commits itself to review annually the policy objectives, targets and actions contained in this memorandum and to submit a report on progress to HMG via the Governor within two months of the completion of the review.

The parties to this memorandum have agreed to confirm their acceptance of the policy objectives, targets and actions by authorising their duly appointed representatives to sign the memorandum on behalf of their respective Governments.

…………………..………….. …..……………………………………….
Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE H.E. Frank J. Savage, CMG LVO OBE
Chief Minister, BVI Governor, BVI
…………………..………….. …..……………………………………….

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

Dated: 9th September, 1998

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