Minster Leo Docherty In Gibraltar
The Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, today welcomed the Minister for Europe, the Hon Leo Docherty MP to No6 Convent Place.
Minister Docherty met with the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister, Minister Bossano and Minister Arias-Vasquez to discuss matters arising in respect of the UK/EU treaty negotiation on Gibraltar and, in particular, planning for a No Negotiated Outcome.
The Minister had earlier been welcomed to Gibraltar on arrival at the airport by the Deputy Chief Minister, Joseph Garcia, and the Deputy Governor, Marc Holland. He was subsequently briefed on NNO issues arising in respect of Health and Care by the Minister for Health and Care, Gemma Arias-Vasquez. The Minister also toured the Port and Container Port areas and was briefed on works carried out in respect of those as part of the NNO planning being carried out by the Government of Gibraltar.
Commenting on the visit, the Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, said: “I have been delighted to welcome Leo Docherty back to Gibraltar. Minister Docherty has been working hand in glove with the Deputy Chief Minister on matters relating to a potential No Negotiated Outcome of the UK/EU Treaty negotiations in respect of Gibraltar. Similarly, we have been working as closely together on the negotiations and we are confident that we can reach an agreement between the UK and the EU which delivers the result that Gibraltar wants and needs and without any concessions in respect of sovereignty, jurisdiction or control. The UK and Gibraltar are working in unison on both potential outcomes, as is the only responsible way to act, although His Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar remains very optimistic that the outcome will be a positive, negotiated outcome that delivers a UK/EU treaty on favourable terms that does not require any compromise beyond what is acceptable to the People of Gibraltar, 96% of whom voted to remain within the EU in the 2016 referendum. I have been liaising closely the Foreign Secretary and his office as we move into what now feels like the final stages of this hugely important negotiation and the UK and Gibraltar have never worked more closely together in delivering the outcome that the People of Gibraltar want”.
This afternoon the Minister will tour the area of the Northern Defences with the Deputy Chief Minister ahead of his return to London later today.
