A Senior delegation from the Isle of Man Government attended the 16th British-Irish Council Summit at Lancaster House in London on Monday (June 20, 2011). Chief Minister Tony Brown MHK, Treasury Minister Anne Craine MHK and Environment Minister John Shimmin MHK took part in top-level discussions about the economy and a proposed all-islands approach to energy matters. The BIC, established under the terms of the Good Friday peace agreement, is the only international forum comprising the governments of the UK, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey. It plays an important role in developing positive links between member countries and provides a platform for consultation and co-operation on issues of common interest. During the London Summit, the Chief Minister took the opportunity to hold informal discussions with Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg on a range of topics, including the Island’s VAT sharing agreement with the UK. Mr Brown said: ‘The Isle of Man is an integral part of the British economy and I was able to highlight once again the importance of the Island’s strategy of economic diversification and our mutually beneficial links to the City of London.’ He added: ‘The British-Irish Council has always been a valuable forum for the Isle of Man, allowing us to take our place amongst the governments of the British islands and discuss matters of mutual interest at the highest level. It affords us the respect and recognition we need to strengthen our international identity. ‘The Summit in London provided an opportunity for member states to share ideas on a number of issues, including ways to address our fiscal and energy challenges and encourage a more sustainable future for people across our islands.’ The Isle of Man Ministers took their place alongside senior politicians from sovereign governments, devolved institutions and crown dependencies, joining delegations led by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg (UK), Taoiseach Enda Kenny (Ireland), First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness (Northern Ireland), First Minister Alex Salmond (Scotland), First Minister Carwyn Jones (Wales), Deputy Chief Minister Philip Ozouf (Jersey) and Chief Minister Lyndon Trott (Guernsey). The Summit examined the current economic situation and how member states are continuing efforts to rebalance their finances. Minister Craine, who had an informal meeting with Exchequer Secretary to the UK Treasury David Gauke MP, said: ‘We are all facing, and working to address, significant fiscal challenges. BIC provides an excellent forum to look at ways of working together to grow our economies in these uncertain times.’ The Summit also focused on energy issues, with discussions around the electricity grid infrastructure, interconnection and market integration. Minister Shimmin said: ‘The Council agreed a set of principles to underpin the vision of an all-islands approach to energy matters. The Isle of Man is committed to playing its part in joint working towards a more sustainable future and the cost-effective exploitation of the renewable energy resources.’ The next British-Irish Council Summit will be held in Ireland in the autumn. Ends