Premier Off to London for Joint Ministerial Council 2018

#London, December 4, 2018 – UK – The Premier Honourable Sharlene Cartwright Robinson will travel to London to attend the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) alongside other leaders from the United Kingdom Overseas Territories (UKOTs) from the 3^rd thru 7^th December 2018.

The JMC is the highest political forum under the 2012 White Paper, bringing together United Kingdom Ministers, elected Leaders and Representatives of the Overseas Territories for the purpose of providing leadership and a shared vision for the Territories. The mandate is to monitor and drive forward collective priorities for action in the spirit of partnership.

Prior to the start of the JMC, the Premier will attend a full day of meetings, organized by the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA).  On Monday, 3^rd December, the Premier will attend an Environment Workshop alongside representatives from Her majesty’s Government (HMG) and Non-Government Organizations. Following these talks, the Premier will be engaged with the UKOTA Political Council which this year will be Chaired by the Hon. Alden McLoughlin, Premier of the Cayman Islands.

The JMC plenary sessions will take place on Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 December. The areas of priority to be discussed during the JMC sessions by UKOTs and HMG include:

• The United Kingdom’s Exit from the European Union and the impact on the Overseas Territories.
• The Constitutional Relationship between the UK and the Overseas Territories.
• Safeguarding vulnerable people including children and he mentally ill
• Financial Services
• Defense, Trade and Investment
• Disaster Management

During the Premier’s week-long trip to London, she will have bilateral talks with Lord Ahmed, Minister with responsibility for the Overseas Territories inside the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on a range of issues pertinent to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Premier along with the other Overseas Territory Leaders will meet the Prime Minister for tea on Tuesday 4 December.

Premier Cartwright-Robinson will give evidence to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee Evidence Session on behalf of the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands as part of their ongoing inquiry into relationship between the HMG and the Overseas Territories.

Additionally, the Premier will attend Her Majesty’s Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, 4^th December along with other OT Leaders, UK Representatives of the Overseas Territories and the Diplomatic core in the United Kingdom.

Travelling to London with the Premier to attend this week long of meetings will be the Deputy Premier, Hon. Sean Astwood, Director of the Premier’s Office Ronlee James and Executive Assistant to the Deputy Premier, Bernadia Smith.

Press Release: TCIG