Chief Minister meets FS Lord Cameron and OT Minister Rutley - 314/2024

The Chief Minister the Hon Fabian Picardo KC MP, today met with the Foreign Secretary, Rt Hon Lord David Cameron, at the Foreign Office in London in order to discuss the outstanding issues and matters in the ongoing negotiation with the European Union in relation to Gibraltar.

Also, present at the meeting was Overseas Territories Minister, Hon David Rutley MP.

The Chief Minister and the Foreign Secretary considered the best options to advance the ongoing negotiations to a positive conclusion, which both felt was now entirely within reach so long as good will prevailed on all sides, as has been the case until now.

The Chief Minister said: "The Foreign Secretary has a very full agenda and has made time repeatedly to ensure he remains totally engaged in the ongoing Gibraltar negotiation. Today he was fully onto of all the outstanding issues which remain for detailed resolution and optimistic that can get to a full, final agreement, whilst realistic that, as ever, the detail remains challenging in various respects.

"We were both clear about our determination to work to clear these final challenges but resolute that without these being resolved we could not finalise matters.

"We were both equally full of praise for our respective teams and clear that we can see that our negotiating counterparts are as eager and enthusiastic about finalising matters in good faith.

"I was greatly encouraged by the terms of my discussion with the Foreign Secretary and Minister Rutley.

"I believe that the arrangements being considered will not in any way call British sovereignty into question in any respect, whilst they will address the fundamental issues which Brexit creates for Gibraltar and our current economic and social model."

The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Principal Private Secretary, Peter Canessa.

ENDS