The Gibraltarians are a distinct people with their own separate identity who enjoy the right to self-determination under the Charter of the United Nations, the Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia told a group of German university students whom he addressed yesterday Bank Holiday Monday at No 6 Convent Place. The group of over twenty students from Munich are studying law and international relations and were accompanied by their university professors.

Dr Garcia outlined the historical evolution of the people of Gibraltar since the conquest of 1704 and emphasised the point that the cession by Treaty in 1713 was “in perpetuity”. He explained the political and constitutional evolution of the Gibraltarians and went through a number of factors which contributed to the formation of the Gibraltarian identity over the last three hundred years. Gibraltarians have lived here for longer than Germany, Italy or the United States of America have existed as nation states, he explained.

The briefing centred on the history of Gibraltar, our political and constitutional development, military and strategic issues, the economy and the challenges posed by Brexit. It was followed by a lengthy question and answer session.