HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC -Premier David Burt is promising to make a statement to Parliament “on any commitments made” during the annual meeting of United Kingdom government officials and leaders of the Overseas Territories (OTs) at the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) in London.
“ Throughout the week, I will represent Bermuda in high-level meetings with the UK government, and upon my return, I will deliver a Ministerial Statement to the House of Assembly to update the public on any commitments made,” Burt said.
Premier David Burt
Burt is being accompanied to the discussions in London by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Kim Wilkerson, and by the Secretary to the Cabinet, Marc Telemaque.
A government statement said that while the Minister for Economy and Labour, Jason Hayward, is also in the UK, he will not attend the JMC as part of the Bermuda delegation but will participate in sessions relevant to economic development.
The statement said that the JMC is the highest political forum between the UK government and the governments of the British Overseas Territories and that part of the Premier’s engagements include attending an audience with King Charles III as well as attending a meeting with several government ministers including Yvette Cooper, Foreign Secretary and Stephen Doughty, the Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories.
“The discussions at the JMC will focus on securing commitments on…establishing a new relationship under the existing 2012 White Paper; establishing a new Charter and Compacts for each Territory; looking at technology and innovation in healthcare, leveraging contacts with relevant Government departments; addressing illicit finance; and supporting economic growth in the OTs including establishing links with business leaders across the UK.”
Burt will also join Hayward at the Bermuda Business Development Agency’s “A London Forum, The Bermuda Advantage”.
On Friday, he will host his annual networking dinner for Bermudian university students and recent graduates in the UK.
“I am excited to meet Bermudian students and recent graduates who are living in the UK, as I host my annual networking dinner in London. I welcome the opportunity to listen to their experiences, assist their transition to employment in Bermuda, and update them on the progress being made at home.
“There are several students that I met last year who have returned to Bermuda, and Ministers are eager to engage with our young people,” he added.
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