Commonwealth leaders welcome UK dialogue on harms of transatlantic slave trade

Commonwealth leaders meeting in Antigua and Barbuda on Wednesday have welcomed Britain's agreement to join talks on the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade. Britain's role in slavery has long strained relations with its former colonies. Our heads welcome the agreement of the government of the United Kingdom to engage in a structured, time-bound, inclusive and good faith dialogue with affected parties addressing the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved Africans and its historical harms. Throughout our deliberations, we were guided by... Further details were set out in a joint communiqué at the end of the summit. Thank you. And this structured dialogue that he has proposed, we're hoping that it will take place sometime within the next 12 months. We have also agreed in principle that by the end of this year or early next year, that the whole framework for the dialogue would be established. And again, you know, we're not going to make any unreasonable demands on the United Kingdom, but it's a matter that has to be addressed and to be addressed in a mature way. And he understands that and there's full cooperation. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he wants to bring a new approach to the discussion and opened the door to a formal apology. However, his government has ruled out making financial reparations for slavery, saying it's not feasible.