European Commission Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation José Manuel Albares and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, together with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo, met in Brussels earlier today.
The Opposition has today questioned the effectiveness of Environment Minister Dr. Cortes’ announcement that systematic searches take place as part of the Upper Rock Surveillance Monitoring Programme, following reports of illegal traps, by members of the public. Shadow Minister Jaime Netto has also received claims that individuals have bought exotic pets and abandoned them in the Upper Rock, whilst the perennial problem of feeding of the Barbary macaques continues.
In three separate incidents, Customs Officers recently arrested five men in relation to drug and smuggling offences. The first instance saw 23-year-old La Linea resident Sebastian Gil Seliva arrested for the possession of 1.1 gram of Cocaine, which was found as he walked through the land frontier. He will appear in the Magistrates’ Court charged with the importation and possession of a controlled drug.
The Gibraltar Football Association’s Under 17s team last week played their first official matches under UEFA, against the Republic of Ireland and England. In last Thursday’s match against the Republic of Ireland the GFA saw a 4 – 1 win for Ireland, with George Wink scoring the first goal for the GFA, since they joined UEFA in May. Fulham, Manchester City and Templeogue United’s players Shane Elworthy, Tom Holland and Steven Kinsella scored for their side. The Under 17s team is current in Armenia participating in the Under 17 qualifiers.