Chief Minister returns from trip to Brussels

Chief Minister, Tony Brown has recently headed a Manx delegation to Brussels to meet EU ‘insiders’ - namely politicians, bureaucrats and other associated organisations; including White & Case, who are described as the Government’s ‘eyes and ears’ in Brussels.

It would appear that the visit was essentially some sort of PR exercise and part of a continuing policy to ‘cultivate’ contacts that will hopefully be of benefit to the Isle of Man.

Mr Brown met with, among others, Jacqueline Minor, the Director of Single Market Policies, and discussed how possible changes may affect EU citizens. Apparently they may have an impact on the IOM in respect of professional qualifications and auditing standards.

Discussions were also held with John Richardson, who leads the Task Force, developing the EU’s proposed new Maritime Policy. This issue was the subject of a special workshop at the conference hosted by the Isle of Man in April this year. Mr Richardson is said to be interested in visiting the Island again to follow up on some of the related issues.