Premier Dr. Hon. Rufus Ewing will host UK Overseas Territories (OTs) Heads of Government in the Turks and Caicos Islands 20-21st July 2016 at The Palms, Turks and Caicos for a Pre Joint Ministerial Conference (Pre-JMC).
The Turks and Caicos Islands will be hosting the event for the first time and plans are well underway to welcome the leaders from the OTs and their delegations for a series of meetings on mutual areas of interest. The Pre-JMC is a precursor to the Joint Ministerial Council that will be held in London 31 October – 4th November 2016 and hosted by the Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO).
Attending the meetings will be the Premier of British Virgin Islands, Dr. the Hon. Orlando Smith OBE, Premier of Cayman Islands, the Hon. Alden McLaughlin MBE, Premier of Bermuda, the Hon. Michael Dunkley JP, Premier of Monserrat, the Hon. Donaldson Romeo, Chief Minister of Gibraltar, the Hon. Fabian Picardo, Representing the Government of Anguilla, Hon. Evans McNeill Rogers – Minister of Social Development and representing the Government of the Falkland Islands, Hon. Roger Edwards MLA. The Secretary General of CARICOM, Mr Irwin Larocque, will also travel to the Islands to meet with the Leaders of the Caribbean OTs on 20 July, 2016.
OTs who are not able to attend the Pre JMC in person will be represented remotely via teleconference during the two days of meetings. They include: Pitcairn Islands, Tristan Da Cunha, St. Helena and Ascension Island.
Premier Ewing, who will host and chair several of the roundtable discussions said; “The Turks and Caicos Government is pleased to welcome the OT Leaders and delegations to our shores. While the JMC is the highest political forum between the UK Government and elected leaders and representatives, this forum allows us to first meet and outline a clear strategy to address the challenges OTs face prior to the JMC.”
“These pre-meetings allow us an opportunity to have meaningful discussions on issues of common concerns such as economic and social development, health and environmental issues as well as the relationship between the OTs and the UK. Following the vote of the UK referendum to leave the European Union (EU) the first session will explore the implication of the result on the OTs and their relationship with the EU.”
“I have been attending these meetings for four (4) years now, and I am delighted to welcome all the attendees to our beautiful paradise, while we discuss such pertinent issues.”
The Premier and other OT Leaders will hold a press conference and photo opportunity on the first official day of the conference, 20 July 2016, at the Messel Ballroom, The Palms Turks and Caicos. The meetings will conclude at the Cabinet Room, Office of the Premier, Hon. NJS Francis Building, Pond Street Grand Turk on 21 July 2016.