Cayman Premier Gets Expanded Foreign Affairs Responsibilities

Above: Cayman Premier Alden McLaughlin

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin has been given responsibility for a number of external affairs matters by Governor Helen Kilpatrick, according to a government release.

The delegation of foreign affairs power comes under the British Overseas Territory’s 2009 Constitution. It delegates power for “all matters of policy formulation and implementation to the elected Government except for the areas of special responsibility,” excepting areas of “special responsibility,” which remain with the Governor.

McLaughlin has been assigned responsibility for CARICOM, the Association of Caribbean States, the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean and “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,” according to a statement.

McLaughlin also has been delegated responsibility for European Union matters “directly affecting the Cayman Islands.”

The Premier’s office also announced that Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell had been given responsibility for external affairs regarding tourism and tourism-related matters, while Finance Minister Marco Archer now has responsibility for external matters regarding taxation.

Financial Services Minister Wayne Panton has been given responsibility for external affairs with respect to taxation and the regulation of finance and financial services.

The responsibility does not extend to the ability to sign treaties, which must be first permitted by the United Kingdom.