The Deputy Chief Minister Hon Dr Joseph Garcia CMG MP yesterday participated in a meeting of UK Overseas territory leaders and Ministers with the UK Minister for Europe Stephen Doughty MP. Mr Doughty also has responsibility for the UK Overseas Territories.

The virtual meeting coincided with the budget debate in the Gibraltar Parliament where the Chief Minister Hon Fabian Picardo KC MP was on his feet delivering his reply.

Dr Garcia thanked Mr Doughty for his involvement and support in taking the UK-EU Gibraltar treaty over the line. He also raised points on constitutional reform, the United Nations and further engagement for the Overseas Territories with the Commonwealth.

The meeting took place against the background of coming political changes in the United Kingdom next week and served as preparation for the next Joint Ministerial Council in the autumn.

The Deputy Chief Minister said: “Gibraltar continues to be an active participant in this kind of contact with the other members of the UK Overseas Territory family. It is true that we are all different but there are also underlying similarities given that ten are listed by the United Nations as Non-Self Governing Territories pending decolonisation. The meeting provided a very useful understanding of the priorities of each one going forward.”