Sep 01 - Senior German MEP Visits Gibraltar
A senior German MEP and advisor to German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the UK and Brexit was in Gibraltar to meet with various groups.
Yesterday afternoon, David McAllister and Gibraltar’s representative in Brussels Sir Graham Watson met with members from Unite the Union and the Cross Frontier Group at Unite’s offices in Town Range where they discussed a number of issues such as Brexit and the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation.
Mr McAllister said: “As a democrat, of course, I respect the decision taken by a narrow majority of the British people, however, I felt heartbroken on the 23rd of June, I think it’s a terrible mistake and now we have to cope with the situation.”
Mr McAllister and Sir Graham met in Brussels and spoke about Brexit and its impact on Gibraltar, and said he is in Gibraltar to listen to the people.
With regards to Gibraltar’s overwhelming majority of 96% voting to stay in the EU, Mr McAllister said it was a very impressive vote.
Sir Graham explained that the aim of this visit is to find out how life functions across the border, how trade unions work in Gibraltar and how businesses from Spain and Gibraltar work together, and how to continue this working relationship with the shadow of a possible UK exit from the European Union.
Alfredo Vasquez of the Cross Frontier Group explained that the group is made up of businesses and trade organisations from both sides of the border who started working together following the extensive border delays at the frontier in 2013.
He added: “It’s a very good collaboration in terms of finding a way to resolve issues away from the political table and political organisations in order to do what’s best for the area not just for the economy but also for the significant numbers of workers that transition across the border daily.”
Mr Vasquez said the outcome of Brexit remains to be seen, and hopes that those with the decision-making will ensure a favourable outcome for Gibraltar.
The meeting with the Cross Frontier Group and Unite the Union members continued in private.
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