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 Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, is travelling to Madrid today to fulfill a number of engagements. Mr Picardo is attending a lunch hosted by the Association of European Journalists who will be briefed on Gibraltar affairs. These lunches are periodically held with top politicians and business personalities for strict off-the-record briefings to serve as background to journalists.
During his stay in Madrid, the Chief Minister will also give interviews to prominent Spanish and foreign correspondents.
During a press call this morning, the Chief Minister announced the commencement of the process towards converting the former Queen’s Cinema into Gibraltar New National Theatre. The flagship project is part of the Government’s manifesto commitment to provide a new modern theatre for Gibraltar.
The former Queen’s Cinema site was purchased for £3.5 million from the Benetar family and will undergo an extensive refurbishment programme. Speaking to YGTV about why the Government chose that site to hold Gibraltar’s new theatre, Chief Minister Fabian Picardo explained, ‘if you think about the plot and the fact that it’s got road access on both sides, it’s close to a car park, it’s in an area where we believe we can bring all the trucks necessary for touring productions. It’s also got the size that we need it to have.’
The GSD has today insisted that the Chief Minister has made no effort in contacting the Leader of the Opposition with regards to Gibraltar’s position in the EU. A motion was passed in Parliament earlier this year, claiming that Mr. Picardo would meet with Mr. Feetham to confidentially brief him on the matter, which could shift, due to the UK’s proposed referendum on EU membership.
A GSD statement continues, ‘given the fact that it is possible for the UK to advance its plans on a referendum on its membership of the EU, it is important that Gibraltar is prepared to face the challenges that this may pose. It is obvious, from the Government’s own statements, that it has been having conversations with the UK Government going back over a year. Whilst the Government might be confident it is doing all it needs to do, the Opposition cannot, at this stage, share that optimism and calls on the Government to make good on the EU Motion unanimously passed by our Parliament and public statements made by the Chief Minister about briefing the Opposition on Privy Council terms.’
The Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, is travelling to Madrid today to fulfill a number of engagements. Mr Picardo is attending a lunch hosted by the Association of European Journalists who will be briefed on Gibraltar affairs. These lunches are periodically held with top politicians and business personalities for strict off-the-record briefings to serve as background to journalists.
During a press call this morning, the Chief Minister announced the commencement of the process towards converting the former Queen’s Cinema into Gibraltar New National Theatre. The flagship project is part of the Government’s manifesto commitment to provide a new modern theatre for Gibraltar.
The GSD has today insisted that the Chief Minister has made no effort in contacting the Leader of the Opposition with regards to Gibraltar’s position in the EU. A motion was passed in Parliament earlier this year, claiming that Mr. Picardo would meet with Mr. Feetham to confidentially brief him on the matter, which could shift, due to the UK’s proposed referendum on EU membership.
