United Kingdom Overseas Territories Minister Amanda Milling is set to begin a three-day visit to Cayman starting Wednesday evening, the Governor’s Office has announced.
Milling will be making her first visit to Cayman.
She was appointed the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office minister responsible for the Cayman Islands and other Overseas Territories last September following a cabinet reshuffle by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
“The UK and its Overseas Territories have a deep and special bond. I am therefore very pleased to be visiting the Cayman Islands this week,” Milling said through the statement. “The UK and Cayman Islands have a very strong relationship based on mutual trust and respect. I look forward to following up on the actions of the successful Joint Ministerial Council held last November, and seeing first-hand how the Cayman Islands has responded to the pandemic. I am keen to deepen our partnership.”
Her visit comes at a time when Johnson is facing increasing heat over parties he attended in 2020 which breached COVID-19 restrictions at the time.
There have been mounting calls for his resignation in the wake of the revelations. Last week Johnson apologised to the public for his actions, saying he was regretful.
Milling has been touring countries under her portfolio and most recently completed a three-day tour of Thailand.
Visit to law enforcement agencies, Little Cayman
Governor Martyn Roper welcomed the minister’s visit.
“Due to Covid this is the first UK in person Ministerial visit for over two years. Such visits enable us to deepen relationships and mutual understanding. It will enhance our already strong relationship. I am certain we will be able to give the Minister a very favourable impression of our wonderful islands and community,” he said in a statement.
The last official visit from a UK minister was back in October 2019 when then Minister of State for the Armed Forces Mark Lancaster came for four days.
It was during his visit that plans for the Cayman Islands Regiment were announced.
Milling will be meeting personnel from the regiment, Cayman Islands Coast Guard and Royal Cayman Islands Police Service Air Operations Unit to see how these organisations play their part in the security and protection of Cayman.
COVID response
According to the Governor’s Office, Milling will also hear first-hand about Cayman’s COVID response including “our impressive vaccine roll-out and our ability to detect variants of concern”.
Premier Wayne Panton said the Cayman Islands is proud that Milling chose to visit here.
“Minister Milling has responsibility for all of the British Overseas Territories and singled out the Cayman Islands for her visit to the region. We look forward to discussing with her the way the United Kingdom Government can work with the Cayman Islands Government to further enhance our relationship with the UK to the benefit of our country and our people,” he said in the statement.
Milling, the statement added, will meet various Cayman youth groups and learn how they are working to raise awareness of the impact of climate change on Cayman’s low-lying islands and the importance of protecting our biodiversity.
“On a visit to Little Cayman, she will see the work of the Department of the Environment to conserve indigenous species, tackle invasive species and deal with the impact of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease. The Minister will also tour the Central Caribbean Marine Institute’s Field Station and hear about their coral restoration efforts,” the statement added.
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