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Written question asked by Patrick Grady (Independent (affiliation)) on Monday, 31 October 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 November 2022. It was answered by Andrew Mitchell (Conservative) on Tuesday, 8 November 2022 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Chagos Islands: Sovereignty

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions have taken place between (a) officials and (b) Government ministers of the UK and Mauritius on sovereignty over the Chagos Islands (i) at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in June 2022, (ii) at the UN General Assembly meeting in September 2022 and (iii) on any occasions after those events.

Answer

Former Prime Minister Johnson and former Foreign Secretary Truss met their Mauritian counterparts at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in June. Former Prime Minister Truss held a constructive meeting with the Mauritius Prime Minister at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) in New York in September. These meetings included discussions on the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT)/Chagos Archipelago. UK and Mauritian officials engage regularly.

The Foreign Secretary's Written Ministerial Statement (UIN HCWS354) of 3 November 2022 stated that the UK and Mauritius have decided to begin negotiations on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT)/Chagos Archipelago.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
74746
Session
2022-23
Related items
British Indian Ocean Territory / Chagos Archipelago
Thursday, 3 November 2022
Written statements
House of Commons
Subjects
Mauritius Sovereignty Chagos Islands
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk