NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE The Celtic League has written to the Isle of Man Economic Development Minister asking what happened about a proposal the IOM made to the United Kingdom five years ago asking if the Island could be given Associate Membership of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The Isle of Man has a very vibrant shipping register which has been one of the success stories in broadening the Manx economic base. IMO membership we would assume would enhance the registers credibility. The Faroe Islands, which enjoy a similar relationship to Denmark as the IOM has to the UK, are Associate members as are two other territories including the former British colony, Hong Kong, which is now linked to China. The text of the letter is set out below: ?The Minister for Economic Development Mr Laurence Skelly MHK Department of Economic Development St Georges Court Upper Church Street Douglas Isle of Man IM1 1EX 15th April 2015 Dear Minister, In October 2009 the Isle of Man government submitted a wide ranging memorandum to the United Kingdom Justice Committee. Section 30 of that memorandum (responding to questions from the Committee) said: ?The IOM would offer the following recommendations to improve current management of the relationship between the Isle of Man and UK:? Point 8 of that section reads: ?The ability to gain the support of the UK for associate membership of certain bodies, where their constitution would allow for that, would be useful, eg Shipping and Associate membership of the International Maritime Organisation.? (IMO). I note from the State membership list of the IMO that there are currently only three ?Associate members? (The Faroes, Hong Kong and Macao). Can you indicate why, given the importance of the shipping register to the Isle of Man economy, ?Associate membership? at the IMO was not progressed? Did the United Kingdom refuse to pursue it on behalf of the Isle of Man ? Did the IMO refuse to grant Associate membership? Did the Isle of Man Government decide not to progress the issue? I should be grateful if you could clarify this matter Yours sincerely J B Moffatt (Mr) Director of Information Celtic League? Link here to list of IMO Members and Associate Members. J B Moffatt (Mr) Director of Information Celtic League 15/05/15 (Please note that replies to correspondence received by the League and posted on CL News are usually scanned hard copies. Obviously every effort is made to ensure the scanning process is accurate but sometimes errors do occur.) ISSUED BY THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE. The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on socio-economic issues Download our News App for Android here. Internet site at: (voir le site) (voir le site) Share this!