MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands’ flag flies at Parliament Square to mark a British state occasion

The Falklands colours together with those of the other 16 OT

For the first time, the 16 flags of the British Overseas Territories including the Falkland Islands are being flown in Parliament Square, alongside the flags of the Crown Dependencies, to mark a state occasion, reports an official release from the Foreign Office.

The flags will fly throughout the visit of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who is in London from October 31 until 2 November.

Welcoming the occasion, Minister for the Overseas Territories, Mark Simmonds MP said how pleased he was to see the flags of the OTs flown on a state occasion in London.

“This brings representation of the Overseas Territories in line with the Commonwealth nations, which have long had their flags flown on such occasions. Flying these flags is a sign to the people in the Territories, and those in the UK, of our renewed commitment to the Territories, which was outlined in our recent White Paper. I hope that this will help raise the profile of the Overseas Territories in the UK and around the world” underlined Minister Simmonds.

The flags of the Overseas Territories will now be flown on state occasions in London, including Trooping the Colour and other ceremonial occasions.