KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – As Jamaica and the United Kingdom (UK) mark 60 years of diplomatic ties, the countries are moving to strengthen relations in the areas of climate change, security, and trade at the bilateral and multilateral levels.

State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Leslie Campbell, made the disclosure as he addressed a recent ceremony at the ministry’s downtown Kingston headquarters, to mark the occasion.

The two countries established diplomatic relations on August 2, 1962.

Campbell said that Jamaica and the UK have a special relationship that has matured and transformed from centuries of colonial rule, to one of mutual respect and understanding.

“The UK has stood with us over these many decades, providing vital support to sectors critical for Jamaica’s sustainable growth and development,” he noted.

Campbell said that the UK has offered “invaluable assistance” to Jamaica’s security and justice infrastructure.

He cited bilateral cooperation programmes, valued at approximately 81.3 million pounds, which include support for at-risk youth, countering serious and organised crime, and the reintegration of offenders into society.

The state minister said that Jamaica has also benefited from ongoing cooperation at the regional level in areas such as health, security and disaster resilience and recovery.

“We are pleased that there are currently three regional programmes in these areas valued at approximately 7.2 million pounds from which countries like Jamaica can benefit,” he added.

The ceremony, to mark the diplomatic ties between Jamaica and the UK was among a series of events attended by visiting British State Minister for the Americas and the Overseas Territories in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Jesse Norman, during a tour of the region.