Gibraltar lobbies in Brussels on Brexit and aviation

A high-level delegation from the Gibraltar Government began a hectic round of meetings in Brussels yesterday, with the forthcoming referendum on EU membership dominating much of their discussions.

Also on the agenda were taxation and Spain’s continuing efforts to have Gibraltar excluded from EU aviation agreements, something which the British Government is firmly opposing and which has stalled a number of important European legislative packages.

Led by Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia, the Gibraltar delegation met with MEPs and UK officials during a busy schedule of back-to-back meetings.

The trip to the European Parliament and the European Commission comes less than a month before the UK and Gibraltar vote on whether to remain part of the EU.

“We are here to make the argument for Gibraltar remaining in the EU in the institutions and to talk about how Gibraltar can be seen a success story,” Mr Picardo told reporters.

He added: “Gibraltar has a very positive story to tell, Gibraltar has gone down the road of transparency, we have gone down the road of ensuring compliance is all up to date.”

The delegation, which included Attorney General Michael Llamas, QC, and Sir Graham Watson, Gibraltar’s advisor in Brussels, arrived at the European Parliament early yesterday morning for their first round of talks.

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