May 09 - Her Majesty's Government of Gibraltar Warmly Welcomes Queen's Speech Reference to Gibraltarian's Right to Self Determination
Her Majesty's Government of Gibraltar has very warmly welcomed the statement in Her Majesty's speech to Parliament this morning.
The Queen said:
"My government will ensure the security, good governance and development of the overseas territories, including by protecting the Falkland Islanders' and Gibraltarians' right to determine their political futures."
The Queen's speech to Parliament is a State Occasion in the United Kingdom and represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government of the UK.
This sentiment was also included in the "Mid-term Review" of the Coalition Government which was recently published by Downing Street.
That this reference should have been included in such a high profile speech for the first time is a huge step for Gibraltar.
Chief Minister, Hon Fabian Picardo MP, said: "The people of Gibraltar will be delighted to have seen this reference to Gibraltar in Her Majesty's speech to Parliament today. The explicit defence of the right of self determination of the people of Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands has also been set out explicitly in the Mid-term Review, which demonstrates the fact that the work that we are doing with the Coalition Government in the UK is bearing fruit and progressing Gibraltar's cause."
