Mar 26 - Chief Minister Presents Gibraltar to the Heritage Foundation
Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, today addressed influential US Conservative think-tank, the Heritage Foundation in Washington DC. The event was attended by around 30 delegates at the venue and online by viewers around the globe. Mr Picardo’s speech concentrated on re-enforcing the historic relationship that Gibraltar has always had with the UK and it’s allies, the USA.
Speaking on the subject of Gibraltar as a strategic military outpost, the Chief Minister spoke about General Eisenhower launching Operation Torch from Gibraltar as well as the use of the Rock during Desert Storm and the recent conflicts in Libya. Mr Picardo also touched upon Gibraltar’s high standards of regulation in the financial sector and boasted about having the leading Online Gaming sector globally. He argued that the Rock represented a valuable business opportunity for American investors.
After his speech, the Chief Minister answered some questions from the delegates that had attended. The questions broached the subjects of sovereignty, the Treaty of Utrecht and US forces being welcomed to Gibraltar. A Spanish embassy representative also made a point of asking the Heritage Foundation to allow the Spanish an opportunity to put across their opposing viewpoint on this subject as well as the potential opportunity for a debate.
The talk today at the Heritage Foundation was part of a US trip during which the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Joseph Garcia, have held meetings to increase the awareness of Gibraltar as a potential great location for US companies to invest and to gain access European markets.
The Chief Minister and the Gibraltar delegation head back to Gibraltar tomorrow.
