The Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, the Hon John Cortes MBE MP, was recently in Brussels where he held a series of meetings with Brussels-based interlocutors, including Members of the European Parliament, to exchange views on the recent entry into force of the UK-EU Agreement in respect of Gibraltar.

Particular attention during the visit was given to the environmental provisions of the Agreement and to Gibraltar’s ongoing work to implement its obligations and commitments in this area. Minister Cortes used the opportunity to set out the extensive work already undertaken to implement the relevant provisions of the Agreement and to reaffirm Gibraltar’s firm commitment to continuing to deliver on those obligations.

The Minister also took the opportunity to address a number of unsubstantiated allegations that have recently been made by local Spanish actors in Brussels concerning Gibraltar’s environmental performance. He provided interlocutors with factual information on Gibraltar’s environmental record and an update on the Government’s programme to address remaining challenges, including the construction of the new urban wastewater treatment plant.

The Government considers the visit to have been very positive and is reassured that the process for the EU’s ratification of the Agreement remains on track ahead of the European Parliament’s consent vote in December.

Minister Cortes said: “I was very pleased to have the opportunity to engage directly with Members of the European Parliament and other interlocutors in Brussels. The discussions were constructive and provided an important opportunity to explain, first-hand, the work that Gibraltar is undertaking to meet its environmental commitments under the Agreement.

“There has been some commentary in Brussels recently which does not accurately reflect the position on the ground in Gibraltar. It was therefore important to provide the facts and to explain clearly both what we have already achieved and the work that is actively underway.

“The Agreement establishes a new framework for cooperation, including on environmental matters, which I am very excited about. Gibraltar is committed to playing its full part in making that framework work. I explained to Members of the European Parliament that our commitment to protecting and improving the environment for generations to come is itself another reason why this historic Agreement should be supported.”