The Chief Minister Fabian Picardo is in London at a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) with the UK Government and the Governments of the UK Overseas Territories.

The JMC is the highest political organ for consultation and dialogue between the UK and the Territories.

On Monday, the Political Council of the UK Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) met in a pre-JMC in order to discuss the common interests and challenges that the different territories face.

The formal discussions with the UK, which start today, will cover important political matters of direct relevance to Gibraltar, as well as the environment and climate change. The Overseas Territories are responsible for protecting 94% of unique British biodiversity.

The Chief Minister was invited to a dinner last night at 1 Carlton Gardens the London residence of the Foreign Secretary, hosted by the Minister for the Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty, who is also Minister for Europe including Gibraltar.

The Government very much welcomes the unwavering commitment to the right to self-determination of the new UK Government which Minister Doughty has already made clear.

Mr Picardo is accompanied by the Minister for the Environment and Climate Change Professor John Cortes and the Chief Secretary Glendon Martinez.

The Chief Minister will return to Gibraltar on Friday, until when the Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia will act as Chief Minister.