Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK will lead a senior delegation to London on Monday (2 July 2018) to continue the Isle of Man Government's programme of political engagement with the United Kingdom.
The main focus of the visit will see the Chief Minister attend the latest in the series of meetings between the Crown Dependencies and the UK Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU).
Mr Quayle is set to join Gavin St Pier, Chief Minister of Guernsey, and John Le Fondre, Chief Minister of Jersey, for talks with Robin Walker MP, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at DExEU.
The quarterly meetings with DExEU enable the Isle of Man to gain first-hand insight into the latest developments regarding Brexit.
The talks on Monday will include updates on the UK's future economic partnership with the EU and the ongoing discussions around the Customs Union.
The Chief Minister will also take the opportunity to highlight the progress of the Isle of Man's European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, which seeks to make the legislative changes needed to ensure a smooth transition into the Island's new relationship with the EU.
The public consultation on the Bill has ended and the responses are currently being considered ahead of the legislation being introduced into the House of Keys in October.
The Chief Minister said:
'There is great uncertainty about how the political and economic landscape will look after Brexit, so it is useful to spend time on the ground in Whitehall to learn more about current developments. The regular meetings with Robin Walker help to strengthen our relationship with those at the very heart of the Brexit process.'
He added:
'We have also been working closely with the UK Department of International Trade to ensure the Isle of Man is able to comply with World Trade Organization schedules in respect of goods and services following Brexit. This is part of the considerable work taking place to secure the best possible outcome for the Island.'
