Bermuda's submission on the UK Overseas Territories summarised - a full copy of the report can be seen at the end of the this story.What We Want“Headline” Issuesn National Security Council a “refinement” of the existing Governor's Council. To give local Government a “more defined responsibility on security issues.”n “Greater autonomy and latitude” in the negotiation and finalisation of commercial treaties including air links and International Investment Protection and Promotion Agreements.n Bermuda's own Central Bankn Representation in global organisations such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund perhaps modelled along the lines of the World Trade Organisation.n No interference in Bermuda elections “irrespective of what may have occurred in other OTs”.Addressing the Key Challenges Facing BermudaEconomyn Access to external sources of capital from UK funding agencies for private sector developers for infrastructure development in Bermuda.n Opportunity for Military Training The Bermuda Regiment will lose its only “reasonable sized, secure training area” once development starts at Morgan's Point.n Increase in violent crimeThe submission makes no specific request but notes this as a key challengen An ageing population.“Bermuda must also grapple with its growing ageing population and the related health costs and housing support challenges. As the birth rate is shrinking, there are fewer people entering the workforce, and thus fewer people to contribute to the Government pension fund.”Cooperation with UK what are the most important areas of cooperation between Bermuda and the UK?n ”The most important areas of cooperation with the UK are: national security, immigration matters, legislation and international treaties/representation.”‘Bermuda would seek to have greater engagement and interaction between the UK and other territories on matters concerning policing, the economy, healthcare and education.”Civil Servicen The UK could “strengthen cooperation and build more effective partnerships with its Territories by increased dialogue and the offering of further training and education for Civil Servants at no cost. The objective would be to enhance the operations of government and assist to ensure the continued development of good governance in the region.”Immigrationn UK assistance to reverse the EU policy requiring OT passport holders to get visas to travel to Schengen Treaty countries.Diplomacyn ”Bermuda and the OTs could benefit from UK efforts to quell arbitrary economic defensive actions against OTs by its EU and other partners.”n ”Bermuda's constitutional status, its political, economic and social system, and our track record in international affairs and external relations is not widely known in the UK, or in the EU.Constructive engagement could prove mutually beneficial to both the UK and Bermuda by way of civil service secondments, other Bermuda Government representatives to work alongside their British counterparts in both the UK and Brussels in constructive engagement.Bermuda and our London Office could be strengthened through the use of UK diplomatic resources particularly in Brussels and the EU. The same can be said for the UK Embassy in Washington and our office and our resources there.”n Direct engagement to the UK Parliament. “This could be done by serving on Parliamentary Committees, for example, where matters affecting Bermudas national interest are discussed.”n It would be most helpful if the UK established a formal mode of communication that will support an enhanced mechanism for accessibility to UK Government Institutions.”n UK assistance in helping Government establish an “international shipwreck exploration industry”Social Policy Cooperationn Access to the UK rehabilitation programmes for Bermuda's criminals.n A prisoner transfer programme sending high level Bermuda criminals to UK prisons “under an MOU without any added costs, save for administrative fees”.Technical Education and –Expertisen Opportunities for education “in the technical skills arena needed in a modern day economy” such as training and development support for the electrical, mechanical, structural, waste and water engineers.Military Affairsn Bermuda should pay UK fees for UK military courses attended by members of the Regiment.n Equipment “The Regiment has sought permission from the Chief of Defence to obtain and wear British military "multi-cam combat uniform. It is requested that this process be expedited and a payment method be identified, so these items and the associated ancillaries can be purchased as soon as possible.In addition, a more formal process for purchasing British military equipment through the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MOD) (or surplus equipment through Disposal Services Authority) would greatly ease our procurement process. The Regiment would also wish to be included in the distribution of British military manuals, in particular the British Army Electronic Battlebox.”n Ammunition and pyrotechnics “The Regiment would wish to identify if ammunition and pyrotechnics could be sourced through the MOD and transported on military aircraft/ships that are transiting Bermuda” instead of the current arrangement of procurement through civilian sources.n Host British Military Units. “The Regiment is keen to offer support to UK military units who would wish to consider expeditions or training opportunities in Bermuda.”Aviationn Assistance with negotiating airlift to Bermuda would also help in opening up competition within airlines that service.n ”Greater level of autonomy in negotiating with airlines so as to increase airlift. This could be facilitated through a specific entrustment so that the Bermuda Government negotiates directly with airlines with a broader remit than is currently the position in order to increase the airlift to Bermuda.”National Securityn Increased assistance to Bermuda and the OTs with respect to collaboration to deal with transnational crime. “An enhanced level of cooperation with the UK with regard to the development and implementation of new policing strategies, systems and procedures”.Governance, –financial management and economic planningn ”The UK could strengthen cooperation and build more effective partnerships with its Territories by increased dialogue and the offering of further training and education for Civil Servants at no cost. The objective would be to enhance the operations of government and assist to ensure the continued development of good governance in the region”.External Supportn ”Bermudians could benefit from being able to have opportunities available to work directly among professional staff of diplomats and work within an international network of embassies, high commissions and consulates to look after our own interests and those travelling to Bermuda.”n ”The Regiment seeks to have informal ties with more UK Defence Attaches (in particular Jamaica and Canada) to help identify and expedite requests for support.”n Assistance to The Bermuda Regiment in moving personnel and stores in disaster relief operations in Overseas Territories, including Grenada, Montserrat and Turks and Caicos.n ”Whilst the Regiment has conducted overseas exercises in Jamaica and been involved in various seminars and planning exercises with other territories, no formal mechanism is in place for planning and conducting joint activities.Most often, this comes down to lack of funding rather than lack of will. If UK would be prepared to assist or advise on areas of joint cooperation with other territories, the Regiment would wish to be involved.”n “There is a question of external support in the context of a sovereign Bermuda: if Bermuda became independent, would the UK undertake not to revoke British passports held by Bermudians?”Cooperation between –Territoriesn Overseas Territory Militia. “The Regiment has taken part in Regional bodies that have aimed to develop greater joint synergy. It is proposed that an OT security and defence policy forum group (that had realistic and manageable outcomes and goals) be created. This military unit could be available to reinforce tenets established by the OTs as a whole.”Global Profile of the –Territories how can –the UK support OTs?n ”UK can assist in the endeavour to raise the global profile of Bermuda by: Partnering with Bermuda and the OTs to research climate change and its effects on Bermuda and support the resulting activities to assist in combatting its effects on Bermuda and the other OTs. Allowing OT Ministers and Government officials to have their unique voice internationally at global events/conferences without seeking the authority of the UK.The UK could actively partner with the Territories in their promotional efforts. The UK Government can assist by way of mainstream marketing initiatives and at international conferences and forums.”