GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands – Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin travels this week with a delegation including Minister of Financial Services and Environment Hon. Wayne Panton to Turks and Caicos for a pre-Joint Ministerial Council meeting.

The pre-meeting takes place 20-21 July, 2016, and will be chaired by T&C Premier Dr. Hon. Rufus Ewing.

The meeting is an opportunity for all Overseas Territories Heads of Government to exchange views on political and constitutional issues, especially as they relate to the United Kingdom and its relationship with OTs.

The Pre-JMC is a precursor to the Joint Ministerial Council, which will be held in London 31 October – 4^th November, 2016, and hosted by the Foreign Commonwealth Office.

Attending the meetings will be the Premier of Cayman Islands, the Hon. Alden McLaughlin, Premier of British Virgin Islands Dr. Hon. Orlando Smith, Premier of Bermuda the Hon. Michael Dunkley, Premier of Monserrat the Hon. Donaldson Romeo, Chief Minister of Gibraltar the Hon. Fabian Picardo, representing the Government of Anguilla Hon. Evans McNeill Rogers and Minister of Social Development and representing the Government of the Falkland Islands Hon. Roger Edwards. 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.

“We meet each year ahead of the Joint Ministerial Council to discuss the many areas in which we can work together. This year we will also explore the implications on the OTs and their relationship with the European Union as it will be our first meeting since the United Kingdom referendum to leave the EU,” said Mr. McLaughlin. “Through this meeting we will come to a consensus on the way forward to strengthen our collective position at the full JMC meeting.”

Areas of focus at this week’s meetings will also centre on financial services, environmental and security matters and the relationship between the OTs and the UK as well as social and economic development. Travelling with Mr. McLaughlin and Mr. Panton will be Cabinet Secretary Samuel Rose, Senior Political Advisor Roy Tatum and Sherpa Jason Webster.

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