Chagos Archipelago restitution negotiations continue between UK and Mauritius
via Le Mauricien2 min read
Eleven months after the Chagos Deal was signed, confirming the restitution of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritian sovereignty and marking the final stage of Mauritius' decolonization, London and Port Louis are engaged in an operation to "Keep the Pot Boiling." A British delegation, led by Robbie Bulloch, Director, Overseas Territories and Polar Directorate and Lead Negotiator; Peter Candler, Senior Diego Garcia Treaty Negotiator, Overseas Territories and Polar Directorate; and Paul Mckell, Legal Director, held a working session with the Mauritian side, led by Attorney General Gavin Glover, Senior Counsel. The British officials were also received by Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam for an exchange of views. British High Commissioner Paul Brummel accompanied the delegation. A statement from the Government Information Service confirmed that the two delegations discussed the Chagos Archipelago's restitution to Mauritius, with Mr. Bulloch highlighting the need for an agreement to finalize the treaty. The head of the British delegation stated that the meeting with the Prime Minister was an opportunity to exchange views, while recalling that Mauritius and the UK have been working closely for many years. Robbie Bulloch indicated that the key to the deadlock on the Chagos Deal lies with the Americans, with President Donald Trump needing to approve amendments to the Exchange of Notes of December 30, 1966, concerning the Chagos. He also emphasized that "all parties concerned must reach an
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