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May 24 – People Of Gibraltar Feel Part Of The European Project – CM In Brussels Trip

- Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister mark one year since Gibraltar House opened in Brussels.

- Discussions have been held regarding the EU Referendum.

- Civil aviation matters raised with Commission

- Tax transparency and EU directives also on the agenda

YGTV in Brussels

The Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia are currently in Brussels holding meetings with a number of representatives from the European Commission and European Parliament. They are accompanied by Attorney General Michael Llamas QC.

The Government says that this visit “comes at an important time” for Gibraltar as it is exactly a month until the EU Referendum result is known.

Mr Picardo and Dr Garcia have met with a variety of organisations and MEPs today and will continue a busy schedule of meetings tomorrow. As expected, the question of Gibraltar’s position regarding the upcoming EU Referendum has been a key focus of most meetings.

Mr Picardo said: “This has been a very successful day of meetings for Gibraltar and we have had a chance to speak to MEPs, Commission officials and all the people who make the decisions on issues relevant to Gibraltar at the European institutional level.

“Visits such as this demonstrate the importance of the European Union and the ways in which the legislation that is passed here has very real, positive impacts on our everyday lives – from aviation to taxation and protection from Spanish aggression manifested at our land frontier.”

He added: “I look forward to tonight’s reception, which on the one year anniversary of the opening of Gibraltar House, offers a fantastic opportunity to network with supporters of Gibraltar in Brussels.”

EU Referendum

Mr Picardo said he has spoken on behalf of the people of Gibraltar and has made the position clear that Gibraltar wishes to remain in the European Union.

Highlighting the unanimity on this issue among political parties in Gibraltar, Mr Picardo said this sentiment is also shared by various organisations and trade unions.

He adds: “It is quite something to say that about a British jurisdiction here in Europe and I think we are making people realise just how European the people of Gibraltar feel - the people of Gibraltar feel a part of the European project and they want to continue to be a part of the European project.”

Mr Picardo said the issues with the land frontier and the caretaker Spanish Government’s position on Gibraltar were also raised.

Civil Aviation

The delegation has also raised European civil aviation measures which Spain continues to block.

Dr Garcia said the Government of Gibraltar has set up a strategy to try and explain the Rock’s position to different stakeholders in the aviation industry and different political groups in the European Parliament.

He adds: “We have explained the position of the Government of Gibraltar, which is a very clear one, which is that under our terms of membership of the European Union, a European Union law on civil aviation applies to Gibraltar and Gibraltar airport, and consequently any attempt to exclude Gibraltar or to exclude the airport from those pieces of legislation would be illegal and would run contrary to those treaties.”

Dr Garcia said a solution was found under the Cordoba Agreement, whereby Gibraltar ended up investing £80m in a new air terminal located next to the frontier fence and that the Government is now aggrieved at Spain’s backtracking from her promises.

Tax Transparency

Mr Picardo and Dr Garcia have also had the opportunity to meet with Roberto Gualtieri, the Chair of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, earlier today.

Mr Picardo said that the key points covered included taxation and transparency issues. The Gibraltar delegation were keen to put across the message that Gibraltar is a leader in financial services transparency. The creation of a register of beneficial ownership and exchanging this register of beneficial ownership with the 27 European member states who have signed up to it as well was also highlighted together with the message that this was further proof of how Gibraltar has repositioned itself as a compliant European financial centre.

Gibraltar House in Brussels

It’s been a year since Dr Garcia and Mr Picardo officially opened Gibraltar House in the centre of Brussels.

Dr Garcia, who is Minister for Europe, said: “I think over the year the office has worked extremely well and it has been able to engage directly with the European Commission and Members of the European Parliament on issues that affect Gibraltar and also with representations from the member states themselves.

“It’s been a very useful exercise that the office has undertaken on behalf of the Government of Gibraltar and we are extremely pleased with the way it has worked in these 12 months.”

Mr Picardo said it was a proud day to see that the office has been operating successfully for a year. He highlighted the work carried out by Sir Graham Watson, EU Counsel for HM Government of Gibraltar, and Daniel D’Amato, Legal Officer Representation to the European Union, over the past year.  

He adds: “One of the requirements that I had when we agreed that the office should open was that the Gibraltar flag should be seen flying in Brussels.”

This evening, a reception will be held to mark the occasion.



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