Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said that all the potential economic benefits from joint UK/Spain Gibraltar sovereignty could exist today if Spain respected the Gibraltarians' choice not to be Spanish. The statement was in response to Spain's formal invitation to the UK to commence joint sovereignty negotiations on Gibraltar.
United Kingdom's International Trade Secretary Liam Fox has said he is confident a Brexit deal could be struck that “will get a suitable and adequate response to the problems we face” both for Gibraltar as well as for the UK.
Britain’s Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, David Davis, was briefed by Chief Minister Fabian Picardo this week on Gibraltar’s key concerns ahead of Brexit. Mr Davis, accompanied by Robin Walker, the Minister of State at the department for Brexit, met with Picardo and Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia in London late Monday evening.
Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo sent a firm message on Saturday, 10 September, the Rock's National Day, which was accompanied by strong support messages from the UK and a visiting delegation of MPs from all parties in Westminster
United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May has pledged her new administration’s full support to Gibraltar, in a recent private letter to Chief Minister Fabian Picardo.
Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo has met with the new Minister for Europe, Sir Alan Duncan, in London, where he set out the concerns that Brexit has created in the Rock. Mr. Picardo also outlined the opportunities that could now be exploited as a result of a new relationship with the EU.
Spain has said it will formally propose to the European Union that the question of Gibraltar be treated separately when it negotiates Britain’s exit. The acting Foreign Minister, José Manuel García-Margallo reminded journalists in Spain that when Britain leaves all EU treaties will stop applying to the Rock.
The Spanish government has called for joint sovereignty over Gibraltar in the wake of the UK's vote to leave the EU. The British overseas territory of 30,000 voted overwhelmingly for remain, with 95.9% opting to stay in the union.
Thursday's “Stronger in Europe” rally at Gibraltar at which UK Prime Minister David Cameron was due to speak, was cancelled at the last minute after Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed in an attack in West Yorkshire. The news of the fatal attack came shortly after Cameron arrived t the Rock.
On Sunday Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia leave the Rock for New York in order to attend the session of the UN Special Committee on Decolonization, usually known as the Committee of 24.