Howells - ap

Dr. Kim Howells, junior minister in the United Kingdom's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), will make a return visit to Jamaica, on Sunday.

Dr. Howells, the Minister of State with responsibility for the Middle East (including Iraq and Iran, counter-terrorism and counter proliferation), South America and North America (drugs and international crime), U.K. Visas (migration police), and lead on Afghanistan/sub-continent in the Commons, is scheduled to leave the island on Monday.

During the minister's visit, he will meet with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Dr. Kenneth Baugh. He is also expected to meet with Minister of National Security, Derrick Smith, and Police Commissioner Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin.

Bilateral relationship

"I am very much looking forward to my second visit to Jamaica," Dr. Howells said in advance of his arrival. "My discussions with my Jamaican colleagues will centre on our already strong bilateral relationship, but in particular I will be discussing migration cooperation, security, justice, international crime and policing. The United Kingdom and Jamaica enjoy a long history of mutual respect and understanding; bilateral visits between our two countries will ensure that we continue to work together on the international stage."

Dr. Howells last visited Jamaica in May last year. He is the Member of Parliament for Pontypridd in Wales, and was appointed Minister of State at the FCO Office in May 2005.

He was previously Minister of State in the Department for Education and Skills.