GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands – Her Excellency the Governor Mrs. Helen Kilpatrick has given Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin and other Ministers responsibility for the conduct of certain external affairs as they relate to matters that fall within their Ministerial portfolios.

Section 55 subsection (4) of the Constitution gives the Governor the power to delegate responsibility to the Premier and Ministers to handle certain regional and international affairs. This is in keeping with the general delegation under the 2009 Constitution of all matters of policy formulation and implementation to the elected Government except for the areas of special responsibility, which remain with the Governor.

The Premier has been assigned responsibility for the Caribbean Community, the Association of Caribbean States, the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, or any other Caribbean regional organisation or institution; other Caribbean regional affairs relating specifically to issues that are of interest to or affect the Cayman Islands; and European Union matters directly affecting the Cayman Islands.  The Cabinet Office will coordinate the areas of external affairs delegated to the Premier.

Deputy Premier and Tourism Minister Hon. Moses Kirkconnell was given responsibility for external affairs with respect to tourism and tourism-related matters; Finance Minister Hon. Marco Archer will have responsibility for external affairs with respect to taxation; and Financial Services Minister Hon. Wayne Panton will have responsibility for external affairs with respect to the regulation of finance and financial services.

Under the Constitution, the Premier or Ministers must keep the Governor informed of any activities while they are exercising external affairs responsibilities and any costs associated with those activities will be paid for by the Government. The responsibility does not allow the Cayman Islands to sign treaties without first getting permission from the United Kingdom.