MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Gibraltar plans to open office in Brussels and contract US law firm in Washington

“It is essential to take these steps in order to protect the long-term interests of Gibraltar,” No 6 Convent Place said in a statement

The Gibraltar Government is strengthening its lobbying presence in Brussels and Washington in order to ensure that the profile of Gibraltar is heightened at a political level. The Government plans to expand its representation in Brussels along similar lines to the Gibraltar London office.

 Additionally it will pay 210,000 dollars to a leading US law firm to represent the Rock’s interests in the US under a six-month trial.

“It is essential to take these steps in order to protect the long-term interests of Gibraltar,” No 6 Convent Place said in a statement.

The developments follow the visits by Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia to Brussels last February and Washington in March.

The Gibraltar Government first signaled its plans for Brussels last February.

This will include the expansion of the set-up Gibraltar currently enjoys in the European Union along the lines of that which is already in place in London.

“The Government will adopt a phased approach to this expansion which will involve both the direct or indirect recruitment or deployment of staff and the acquisition of suitable premises from where this EU lobbying campaign will be spearheaded,” the statement said.

In a separate step, the Government has appointed law firm and lobbyists Holland and Knight to act as its representatives before the executive and legislative branches of the US Government in Washington.

This will involve work for Gibraltar on both economic and security issues at a cost of 35,000 dollars monthly, plus any substantial costs subject to prior approval, on a six month trial basis.

“This will allow the Government to monitor the effectiveness of the contract before determining how to proceed in the future,” the Government added.

“The Government believes that the format in Washington should be different from that used in Europe, namely in Brussels and in London, because of the different way in which this has traditionally worked in the United States.”

The new contract is in addition to the existing lobbying work for Gibraltar in Washington which has continued since the GSLP/Liberals came into office.