MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands Representative takes the helm of UKOTA

FALKLAND Islander Sukey Cameron MBE has been elected to serve as the Chairman of the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA). She will serve for the next twelve months.

The Chairmanship is rotational and the Falklands last held the position in 2001 and 2002.

Speaking on Falklands radio this week, Sukey Cameron said her role is at the "forefront" of the Association throughout the year, "...making sure that any issues that affect the territories are brought to the attention of parliament."

She said that membership of UKOTA is useful as "...it takes us away from just the bilateral relationship with the UK; in some cases that can be very beneficial because we can work as a group of territories together rather than just a territory battling for something as one.

"If we approach as a group...that has more impact sometimes than one territory trying to battle its own corner."

The Falklands were founding members of UKOTA which was established in 1994 and represents all the inhabited UK Overseas Territories. Eight of the territories have representatives in the UK, with Bermuda and Pitcairn being represented from their territories.

However, Bermuda has recently announced that it plans to open an office in London in September this year.

Miss Sukey Cameron has been the Government's Representative since 1990, and she heads the team of six FIG employees, all located at Falkland House, 14 Broadway, London SW1. Falkland Islands Government Office (FIGO) has been at this location since 1989. (PN)

More information: www.falklands.gov.fk