Written question asked by Lord Avebury (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Malloch-Brown (Labour) on Tuesday, 24 February 2009.

Chagos Islands

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with officials from Mauritius on the future of the Chagos archipelago; and what in particular was discussed.

Answer: British and Mauritian Government officials met in London on Wednesday 14 January 2009. The purpose of the meeting was to establish a dialogue between the UK and Mauritius on the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) as agreed by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister and the Mauritian Prime Minister, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam. Officials discussed the latest legal and policy developments relating to BIOT. British officials set out the view of the UK on sovereignty and how the United Kingdom had to bear in mind its treaty obligations with the USA. Mauritian officials set out the view of Mauritius on sovereignty. There were discussions on fishing rights, environmental concerns, the continental shelf, future visits to the territory by the Chagossians and respective policies towards resettlement. Officials agreed the need to maintain a dialogue on a range of issues relating to the territory and to meet again at a date to be agreed.

Secondary information