Written evidence from the Falkland Islands Government (OTS0106)

 

 

The Falkland Islands Government (FIG) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee’s inquiry into the future of the UK Overseas Territories.

 

The constitutional relationship between the UK Government and its Overseas Territories must be routinely reviewed.  It is vital that the relationship remains fit for purpose and reflects the present realities in both the UK and the Overseas Territories.  We believe that in light of Brexit and other events, now is such a time to look again at this relationship.  We therefore welcome this inquiry.

 

As the Falkland Islands has developed to become an internally self-governing and economically self-sufficient Overseas Territory of the UK, our relationship with the UK has transformed from one of dependence to one that we believe is of mutual benefit to both the Falkland Islands and the UK.

 

This mutual benefit manifests itself in a number of ways, key amongst those are:

 

 

The Falkland Islands increasingly see their relationship with the UK as being a partnership, and one that the UK can have increasing confidence in:

 

 

In March 2013, 99.8% of Falkland Islanders, on a turnout of 92%, voted in favour of remaining a self-governing Overseas Territory of the UK.  This still remains the settled view of Islanders, but we also remain committed to modernising and advancing the constitutional relationship between the UK Government and our Islands so as to reflect our maturing governance and increasing institutional and fiscal capacity. 

 

 

 

 

If the Committee would like to discuss anything in this response in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact us:

 

Richard Hyslop

Senior Policy Adviser

Falkland Islands Government

rhyslop@sec.gov.fk

+500 28432

 

We remain available to provide oral evidence should we be invited.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Roger Edwards MLA

Chairman of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly

 

 

Consultation response:

 

 

The relationship between the Falkland Islands and the UK provides mutual environmental, economic, and political benefits

 

As the Falkland Islands has developed to become an internally self-governing and economically self-sufficient Overseas Territory of the UK, our relationship with the UK has transformed from one of dependence to one that we believe is of mutual benefit to both the Falkland Islands and the UK.

 

Whether it is providing a base for the UK’s Armed Forces in the South Atlantic, providing opportunities for UK companies to participate in major capital projects in the Islands, or being the home to a significant proportion of the UK’s biodiversity, the Falkland Islands increasingly see their relationship with the UK as a partnership.

 

When it comes to the UK’s biodiversity, 90% of it is found in her Overseas Territories.  The Falkland Islands boasts a wealth of native and endemic plant and wildlife, which enriches our vast biodiversity.  The Islands are one of the great havens for the world’s seabirds, including over one million breeding Gentoo, King, Macaroni, Magellanic, and Rockhopper penguins.  As a home to over 70% of the world’s black-browed albatross population and an important resting and breeding ground for some of the world’s rarest cetaceans, such as Sei whales, we take pride in our natural environment.

 

We are a significant component of the UK’s biodiversity and have agreed to the extension of many international agreements on biodiversity and climate, taking our place as responsible global stewards whilst supporting the UK’s commitments.

 

Over the past few years the Falkland Islands Government (FIG) has also established and supported the South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute (SAERI), which now collaborates with other world leading research institutes to facilitate environmental research on the Islands. SAERI has made it their mission to advance environmental understanding through research excellence and innovative science leadership not only in the Falkland Islands but throughout the wider South Atlantic Overseas Territories. They have already proven this through providing ground-breaking research in the fields of marine biodiversity and biosecurity. The research institute is now independent from government and thriving.

 

The research undertaken by SAERI, Falklands Conservation, the British Antarctic Survey, and others, benefits not just the Falkland Islands, but also contributes to the UK’s understanding of some of the major challenges facing the planet, most notably those related to climate change. 

 

As well as acting as a scientific hub and research coordinator/leader in the South Atlantic, the Falkland Islands are a gateway to the Antarctic for science, research, and tourism; providing support to the British Antarctic Survey and other scientific activity in the Antarctic and playing a role in maintaining the UK’s Antarctic claims, something that will be of increasing importance as we approach the renewal of the current Antarctic Treaty.

 

The UK’s network of Overseas Territories act as a platform for enhancing the UK’s global reach.  Continuing with the theme of the environment, the Falkland Islands has agreed to the extension of a range of important environmental obligations ratified by the UK, including Kyoto II and the Convention on Biological Diversity.  This allows the UK Government to increase the contribution it is able to make to reducing emissions and providing solutions to some of the biggest environmental challenges facing the planet. 

 

The Falkland Islands also act as the host for the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

 

There is also a growing, mutually beneficial economic relationship between the Falkland Islands and the UK.  In 2016 alone €56,928,367 worth of goods were imported into the Falkland Islands from the UK.

 

Oil related activity in the Falkland Islands has the potential to generate US$7 billion in UK content.  This is in addition to the significant sums that have already flowed into the UK economy from the exploration campaigns.

 

The Falkland Islands has hosted four separate oil exploration campaigns targeting offshore oil and gas resources, and taking place in 1998, 2010/11, 2012, and 2015/16. Three of those four campaigns have successfully discovered new offshore oil, gas, and condensate resources.

 

The majority of the oilfield support activity for these campaigns has been supplied from Aberdeen, which is the UK’s hub for oil and gas support activity in the North Sea. A significant benefit has flowed through the UK economy and significant business has been generated for UK companies in various sectors including supply of consumables, oilfield equipment rental, charter services, and specialist expertise. The total value of all exploration work in the Falkland Islands to date is estimated to be up to US$2 billion, and a significant proportion of that value has flowed into the UK economy.

 

Looking forward, the Falkland Islands is focused on enabling the Sea Lion development as the first exploitation project. In its first phase it is anticipated that Sea Lion will produce just over 200 million barrels of crude oil, with a total of almost one billion barrels recoverable, over three phases of project activity. Further success could add to that total.

 

Led by Premier Oil from its London and Aberdeen base, the majority of the economic activity is again likely to flow through the UK economy, and Aberdeen is likely to remain the principal supply hub for offshore Falklands’ activity. During the first phase of Sea Lion it is currently estimated that around US$2.5 billion in oilfield contract values will consist of UK-generated content, and over the three phases of activity the value of UK content is anticipated to reach US$7 billion.

 

There are numerous synergies between the UK and the Falkland Islands which make UK contractors the natural choice. Regulatory regimes are similar, with most aspects of the Falkland Islands offshore regulatory regime being closely modelled on the UK, and this means that UK contractors can easily adapt to operations in the Falkland Islands. Consequently, synergies between the Falkland Islands and the UK supply chain are likely to be maintained in the long term, and in the event of further success, the benefits to the UK economy may increase further.

 

These synergies are not confined to oil related activity; our major programme of capital investment is also closely linked to the UK, with UK companies being engaged to design and construct much of our critical infrastructure.  Currently FIG is working with UK based companies for the following projects:

 

 

There are also a range of wider benefits to the UK economy from this work including, but not restricted to: the hire of plant and machinery, the purchase of construction materials, the hiring of skilled labour, and contracting professional services.

 

As we progress, the Falkland Islands are looking to grow their relationship with the UK through the encouragement of further immigration and investment from the UK.

 

 

The Falkland Islands are a reliable and responsible member of the UK family

 

Fiscally responsible government

 

The introduction of a fisheries conservation zone and fisheries management regime in 1986 transformed the economy of our Islands, securing our self-sufficiency in all areas except defence and external affairs.

 

FIG is a careful steward of our finances and operates a robust and credible budgeting process that is both open and transparent.  There is a clear governance structure, management control, public engagement, and reporting in place.

 

The Budget is comprehensive and there are no significant off-budget liabilities.  The Budget is delivered and debated in public and all budget documentation is available for public scrutiny.  There are also appropriate internal and external assurance processes in place: an internal audit function, a Public Accounts Committee, and an external audit undertaken by Mazars, who are a UK regulated firm of auditors.

 

FIG will only spend to a level that it can afford and which is sustainable over the Medium Term Financial Plan.  The budget for 2018/19[1] reflects historic trends in that it does not require any public sector borrowing and aims to deliver an operating surplus at the end of the financial year.  The Government will maintain 2.5 times departmental spend in uncommitted reserves for the Medium Term Financial Plan.  FIG has no debt.

 

FIG, in line with our budgeting principles, invests heavily in critical infrastructure projects to ensure long-term economic growth and to improve quality of life.  During the life of the current Legislative Assembly (2018 – 2022) the Government will invest in:

 

 

Proven stewards of the environment

 

Respecting the Falkland Islands’ globally significant biodiversity and unique environment is at the forefront of all that we do in the Islands.  It is the responsibility of everyone, not just the Government, to ensure that our environment is preserved for future generations.

 

When it comes to preserving our natural environment FIG has a credible track record of being proactive and delivering on our aims and objectives.

 

Through the UK’s extension of the Convention on Biological Diversity we are working towards meeting the targets set and are implementing our own biodiversity framework.  This sets out our vision for the Falkland Islands biodiversity through a number of strategies which focus on key areas and threats to the Islands.  Amongst these, the principal threat is posed by invasive species and biosecurity.

 

FIG actively promotes and encourages community engagement in our environmental protection work (where appropriate), providing funding and advice wherever it is needed.

 

FIG encourages and actively supports scientific research undertaken in the Islands.  This feeds into the decisions taken by government and the Government works closely with local and international NGOs to monitor and protect our environment.  Much of the research undertaken on the Islands is funded directly, through our Environmental Studies Budget, or indirectly by the Government.

 

In addition to the Convention on Biological Diversity, earlier this year our Legislative Assembly confirmed FIG’s agreement for the UK Government to agree to a request to extend the provisions of the Kyoto II agreement to the Islands, allowing us to make a wider contribution to the UK’s commitments under the agreement.  The Government’s energy strategy echoes this, with more than 35% of electricity in the Islands being generated from renewable energy.  As a government we are committed to increasing our efforts in this area and are focussed on increasing wind and solar electricity production where feasible.

 

Whilst the economic impact of the fishery has been transformational, the fundamental management objective is the long-term sustainability of fishery resources for the benefit of future generations. This includes not only the commercial target species but also reducing harmful impacts on bycatch species, seabirds, and marine mammals. FIG makes a significant investment in fisheries science and protection to achieve these objectives.

 

Sustainable environmental management is key to achieving our goals both locally and internationally. As a result we are working on improving the management of national nature reserves and key biodiversity areas around the Falkland Islands in terrestrial areas as well as consistently improving the management of our marine areas and EEZ. Our fishery prides itself on being a world leading responsible and sustainable fishery. We believe that only when implementing cutting edge stock-assessment and marine management can the most sustainable results be achieved. One example is our toothfish long-line fishery which has gained Marine Stewardship Council accreditation.

 

Good Governance and adherence to human rights frameworks

 

As noted elsewhere, the governance arrangements applicable in the Falkland Islands are enshrined in the Constitution, which was approved in 2008 and came into effect from 1 January 2009.  As is the case with other Overseas Territory constitutions, chapter one contains provisions regarding the Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual.

 

The European Convention on Human Rights has been extended to apply to the Falkland Islands and we ensure that we meet our obligations under the convention, as we do other international conventions.

 

We have been progressive in adopting measures to respect changes in society, respecting individual rights and freedoms.  Following consultation in 2015 on the issue of civil partnerships and same-sex marriage, legislation was brought forward to enshrine these in law.  This is a good example of FIG asking residents about a topic, and bringing forward changes accordingly.

 

In 2017 we updated our Prisons Ordinance, and associated regulations.  Our prison, though small, is compliant with modern international expectations regarding the handling of different categories of prisoners, including accommodating younger persons, and those of different genders.

 

We updated our laws in relation to the Safeguarding of Children and, in 2014, drawing heavily on current UK legislation, established a Safeguarding Children Board.

 

FIG took a lead in the development of the Memorandum of Understanding concerning the closer co-operation between the Governments of the UK, the UK Overseas Territories and the Crown Dependencies to facilitate the sharing of information for the purposes of more effective safeguarding of children.

 

The definitive record of statute laws applicable in the Falkland Islands are now published online at www.legislation.gov.fk and this database is kept up to date by a Statute Law Commissioner, who reports regularly to the Legislative Assembly.  A significant number of UK laws apply in the Falkland Islands.  Some have been made directly applicable by UK (via Orders in Council, for example).  Others have been consciously adopted by local legislation; this is our preferred approach.  We can and do keep track of those laws which are applicable and make conscious choices about what to do when changes are made to those UK laws.  This can be a beneficial arrangement, as the UK’s resources to develop substantive legislation are greater than our own, but we are still able to make conscious choices and adaptations to suit local circumstances.

 

FIG is already working in partnership with the UK and other Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies on issues of mutual benefit.  The Falkland Islands is a founding member of the UK Overseas Territories Association.

 

When matters are raised with us by the UK Government, we properly consider these.  We have recently agreed in principle to the extension to the Falkland Islands of the Lanzarote Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.  We believe that we already meet the majority of the requirements of the Convention, and are working to understand what would be required to meet the full requirements.

 

In terms of transparency, FIG seeks to be as open and transparent as it can be whilst acting responsibly in the wider public interest.  We have adopted an Ordinance setting out the expectation that committee papers will be made public, except in limited specified circumstances.  Papers considered by the Executive Council are also routinely published in whole or part, either immediately after they have been considered or at a later date.  Elected members of the Executive Council proactively release information about the matters they have discussed.  The Government has adopted policies around “freedom of information”.

 

The Legislative Assembly has adopted Standing Orders which include a Code of Conduct for Members, based on the “Nolan” Principles.  The Standing Orders also set out the duties of Members of the Legislative Assembly and a Protocol on the respective roles of Members and Officers in the Public Service.

 

Members of the Legislative Assembly actively seek to engage in debate on topics raised by constituents.  In recent meetings, members have discussed matters such as lowering the voting age to 16 and whether the law should make provision for assisted dying.

 

Members of the Legislative Assembly have agreed an “Islands Plan” setting out their vision and commitments over the four years of their term of office.

 

There is a Public Accounts Committee.  Members of the Legislative Assembly strongly support the work of the Public Accounts Committee in holding FIG to account.  Funds and other resources have been committed to ensure that the Committee is properly resourced to undertake its functions.

 

There is also a Principal Complaints Commissioner, whose functions are set out in an Ordinance, and forms a valuable part of the checks and balances on the operation of FIG, to highlight cases of maladministration.

 

Relationship with the UK

 

The Falkland Islands have enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial relationship with the UK, are proud to be a member of the UK family, and are grateful for the continued support of the UK across a range of issues and areas.  In March 2013, 99.8% of Falkland Islanders, on a turnout of 92%, voted in favour of remaining a self-governing Overseas Territory of the UK.

 

The constitutional relationship between the UK Government and its Overseas Territories must be routinely reviewed.  It is vital that the relationship remains fit for purposes and reflects the present realities in both the UK and the Overseas Territories.  We therefore support efforts to modernise and advance this constitutional relationship so as to reflect the maturing governance, institutional, and fiscal capacity of the Overseas Territories as they develop.

 

The UK Government have stated that the 2012 White Paper[2] is still the basis for the engagement with their Overseas Territories.  The Falkland Islands believes that a wide ranging review of the 2012 White Paper is now necessary, following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and her new “Global Britain” agenda.

 

The last significant reform of the Falkland Islands Constitution was initiated in 2000 and concluded when our current constitution came into effect on 1 January 2009.  FIG and Members of the Legislative Assembly routinely review the constitution to ensure that it remains fit for purpose; should we conclude that reforms are required, we will inform the UK Government through the appropriate channels to begin discussions.

 

The issue of Brexit has necessitated intensification of our engagement with the UK Government, in particular at an official level within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for Exiting the European Union.  We welcome this engagement and are grateful for the amount of time and effort officials are dedicating to dealing with our Brexit related issues.  We see this as an excellent example of good co-operation between officials in the UK Government and FIG in working together to tackle a complex issue.  We would like to see this model replicated in other areas.  That said, Brexit has highlighted a worrying lack of knowledge amongst officials (at least initially) and politicians with regard to the modern Falkland Islands and the Overseas Territories in general.

 

A significant amount of effort has therefore been put into briefing officials and politicians, not just on Brexit matters, but also to provide basic and accurate information about the Falkland Islands and our economy.  We are concerned that once the UK leaves the EU, these officials will move on and we will be back to square one.  A lack of adequate and up to date knowledge regarding the Falkland Islands at an official and political level could lead, unintentionally, to ill-informed decisions being taken that could have a negative impact on the Islands.

 

We recognise the obligation on the Falkland Islands to brief politicians and officials and to keep them updated with developments in our economy and society.  Largely, this is accomplished through the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Falkland Islands, dissemination of the Falklands Focus Newsletter, attendance at the Party Conferences, and through organising visits to the Islands by politicians from the UK.  All of this work is undertaken and coordinated by our UK Representative and her team in Westminster.  At the same time we would encourage Whitehall and the wider Civil Service to do more to educate their staff and for the Parliamentary authorities to provide more information to politicians regarding the Falkland Islands and the UK Overseas Territories in general.

 

There is a growing concern amongst many UK Overseas Territories, including the Falkland Islands, with regard to the manner with which some legislation is imposed on us from Westminster, how programmes are extended to include Overseas Territories against their will, and by some recent decisions taken by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.  Examples of this include the recent decision by MPs to force Overseas Territories to publish registers of beneficial ownership and the decision to include Ascension Island within a Marine Protected Area against the wishes of the Island Council.

 

Whatever the rights and wrongs of these specific examples, we are concerned that they mark the start of a new and worrying trend.  If the relationship between the Overseas Territories and the UK is to be one of genuine partnership and expectation of increasing political maturity, these issues must be dealt with on the basis of informed debate and through mutual dialogue between the UK and her Overseas Territories.

 

 

International relations

 

Argentina

 

Whilst the relationship with Argentina has improved in recent years, the threat to the Falkland Islands posed by Argentina’s sovereignty claim in still real and poses a significant impediment in a number of critical areas, including economic growth and the protection of biodiversity.  An example of this is the letters of discomfort that the Argentine Government has sent to oil companies, and their respective supply chains, that expressed an interest in oil related activity in the Falkland Islands.  This is a clear breach of the 2016 Joint Communique agreed between the UK and Argentina, which states:

 

“Both governments agreed that the formula on sovereignty in paragraph 2 of the Joint Statement of 19 October 1989 applies to this Joint Communique and to its consequences. In this context it was agreed to take the appropriate measures to remove all obstacles limiting the economic growth and sustainable development of the Falkland Islands, including in trade, fishing, shipping and hydrocarbons.”

 

With respect to the Falkland Islands, the principal aims of the communique were:

 

  1. Removing political obstacles to establishing further air links between the Falkland Islands and third countries in the region.
  2. Resuming the sharing of scientific data on fisheries.
  3. Removing all remaining trade obstacles which try to limit economic growth and sustainable development of the Falkland Islands.

 

Whilst there has been some limited progress on implementing the aims of the Joint Communique, we encourage the UK Government to continue to insist that Argentina honour both the substance and the intent of the September 2016 Joint Communique, particularly on the issue of the second flight.

 

More recently, the Falkland Islands supported the humanitarian work of the International Committee of the Red Cross on DNA identification for unknown Argentine soldiers buried at Darwin Cemetery.  Members of the UK Armed Forces, based in the Falkland Islands, also took part in the recent search for the missing Argentine naval submarine ARA San Juan.

 

United Nations C24 discussions

 

It continues to be a source of frustration that under the United Nations Committee of 24 (C24)[3] the Falkland Islands are still, despite our regular protestations to the contrary, considered a “non-self-governing territory”.  We therefore appreciate the joint approach from the UK and Falkland Islands governments to the annual United Nations C24 discussions.  We also welcome opportunities to work proactively with our embassies and consulates to identify areas where we might achieve bilateral support from countries that have influence in the United Nations and the South American region.

 

Brexit

 

The Falkland Islands has enjoyed tariff and quota free access to the EU through the  Overseas Association Decision (OAD) since 2001.  Given the significance of the EU as a destination for Falkland Islands meat and fishery products[4], it is vitally important that our current tariff and quota free access to EU markets is retained.  Anything less would have a detrimental impact on our economy and government revenues, damaging the Government’s ability to deliver essential public services and to invest in critical infrastructure for the future growth of the Falkland Islands.

 

If the UK were to leave the EU without any free trade agreement or deal, fishery exports from the Falkland Islands into the EU would, at best, be subject to WTO Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariffs of between 6% and 18% as minimum.  As a result, in the event of a no deal Brexit, we estimate potential annual losses to the fishing industry of up to 16% on fishing industry revenues.  There would also be a direct negative impact on employment levels in the Islands and the wider economy 

 

Meat products at a minimum would be subject to the WTO Agreement on Agriculture and could be subject to WTO MFN tariffs of 12.8%, plus a fixed amount, on average, of €155.68 per 100kg, depending on the cut (corresponding to an overall levy of about 42%).  This would result in the EU27 market no longer being profitable for the Falkland Islands and lead to annual losses in revenue (for the meat industry) of up to 30%, with consequent direct negative impacts on employment levels both in the agriculture sector and the wider economy.

 

The Falkland Islands do not question Brexit; we respect the right of the people of the UK to determine their own future.  However, given the outcome of the referendum and the significance of the EU27 as a destination for our exports, it is critical that the UK Government continues to engage with us and does all that it can to secure our continued tariff and quota free trade with the EU27.

 

We are therefore profoundly grateful for the positive and constructive working relationship that we have with officials within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for Exiting the European Union, and other UK Government departments.  We appreciate the support that has been given to us to date in helping to identify options to address the threats to our exports of meat and fished posed by Brexit.  However, these are official-level relationships and as the withdrawal negotiations progress it is critical that the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, and other more senior officials involved in the negotiations are able to articulate our concerns and ensure that they are appropriately fed into the negotiations so that a good deal for the UK is also a good deal for the Falkland Islands.

 

In the event that it becomes apparent that the UK is not going to be able to negotiate a deal with the European Union, FIG would welcome the support of the UK Government to facilitate direct conversations between ourselves and the European Union with respect to other options for preferential access.  

 

Self determination

 

The Falkland Islands status as an Overseas Territory of the UK is currently recognised by the EU; most recently through Article 198 of the Lisbon Treaty.  Given that self-determination is a fundamental right under the Charter of the United Nations, it is critical that the EU and its Member States continue to respect the wishes of the Falkland Islands, most recently expressed in a referendum held in 2013, to remain a self-governing Overseas Territory of the UK.  We would expect the UK Government to raise this issue in their withdrawal negotiations with the EU.  We are concerned that, despite our voicing concerns on several occasions, UK officials have still to confirm whether or not support for the Falkland Islands’ right to remain and Overseas Territory will be raised during the negotiations.

 

We are also concerned that, post-Brexit, some EU Member States may choose to no longer recognise the UK Government’s sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and our clearly expressed right to self-determination and to remaining a self-governing Overseas Territory of the UK.  We therefore believe it would be beneficial for the Falkland Islands to have more direct engagement with key Member States of the EU and with other governments, to continue to raise awareness of and support for our rights. 

 

Membership of international groupings

 

Having the opportunity to be part of the EU’s Overseas Countries and Territories Association (OCTA) has been beneficial to the Falkland Islands and provided us with a voice within the EU.  We hope we will be able to retain not just our membership of OCTA post-Brexit, but also to some or all of the benefits of OCTA membership, including access to EU environmental funding.

 

The Falkland Islands, along with the other UK Overseas Territories, are members of the Commonwealth.  However, as the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London demonstrated, the Overseas Territories are allocated a very small role.  Given that other members of the Commonwealth also have their own overseas territories, we believe it would be beneficial to create a representative body within the Commonwealth for the Overseas Territories.  Such a body would raise the profile or these territories and dependencies within the Commonwealth.  It would provide an opportunity for them to work together, share best practice, and to discuss issues of mutual concern.  It would also allow the territories and dependencies a seat at the table when the real discussions are taking place and decisions made.

 

In addition to the Commonwealth, we would welcome the opportunity to duplicate the success of our OCTA membership through membership (full or associate) in other international groupings such as the Alliance of Small Island States, where membership would support our trade and development.

 

September 2018

1

 

[1] http://www.fig.gov.fk/assembly/component/jdownloads/send/340-01-24-january-2018/2099-08-18p-budget-planning-2018-19-onwards

[2] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/32952/ot-wp-0612.pdf

[3] The Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (also known as the Special Committee on decolonization or C-24), the United Nations entity exclusively devoted to the issue of decolonization, was established in 1961 by the General Assembly with the purpose of monitoring the implementation of the Declaration (General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960).

[4] In 2017 one third of meat exported by the Falkland Islands went to the EU27.  In the same year the EU27 was the destination for 94% of the Falkland Islands’ exports of fishery products, by weight.