BRITISH Prime Minister David Cameron is scheduled to arrive in the island this afternoon for a one-day official visit during which he will engage in a flurry of State-planned activities in the nation's capital, Kingston.
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller will hold bilateral talks with Cameron at Jamaica House shortly after his arrival, following which a joint press statement will be issued. Simpson Miller will also host the British prime minister at a reception at Vale Royal later in the evening.
Tomorrow Prime Minister Cameron will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the cenotaph at the National Heroes Park, followed by a special joint sitting of the Houses of Parliament, where he will make a statement, after which he will depart the island.
Shortly after Cameron's departure, Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe will arrive at the Norman Manley International Airport, and will inspect a guard of honour before leaving for National Heroes Park where he will also participate in a wreath-laying ceremony. He, too, will have bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Simpson Miller at Jamaica House, where a joint statement will be issued to the press. Prime Minister Abe is also scheduled to tour the world-famous Bob Marley Museum.
He will depart on Thursday October 1.
Political historian Troy Caine told the Jamaica Observer yesterday that Prime Minister Cameron's visit is of "supreme importance" to Jamaica at this time for its impact on foreign affairs, trade, and other socio-economic factors.
"It's always interesting and important when the prime minister of a First World country and member of the G8 visits Jamaica," he remarked. Caine said what he finds particularly interesting is that Cameron, who leads a conservative party, which would be the equivalent of the Jamaica Labour Party is coming to Jamaica as the guest of the Government which is formed by a socialist party, or the UK's centre-left Labour Party equivalent.
"We look forward to the trip," he said.
The most recent sitting UK prime minister to visit the island was Tony Blair in July 2001.
-- Alphea Saunders
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