The Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabián Picardo, hopes to reach an agreement on status with the new Government that is formed in Spain respecting its “red lines”, as he stated in his speech on the occasion of Gibraltar’s National Day.
Negotiations for a treaty between the United Kingdom and the European Union on the future relationship between the two are, “without a doubt, one of the biggest challenges I have had to face as chief minister.”
He claimed to have worked “around the clock” to achieve a treaty that has not yet been possible to sign. He also noted that they will “never” enter into an agreement that “crosses any of our fundamental red lines.”
However, he indicated, “we are very close to being able to reach an agreement that will allow us to create that desired area of ??shared prosperity between Gibraltar and the Campo de Gibraltar area.” “But we’re not there yet,” he appreciated.
To do this, “we must ensure that we are ready to seal the agreement, once a new government is formed in Spain” and added that if he is re-elected as chief minister in the next elections, he hopes to be able to speak of a “historic agreement” that is possible. achieve “in good faith by all parties” in next year’s celebration.
In this edition, which marks 56 years since the 1967 referendum, in which Gibraltarians chose to remain exclusively British, the celebration of National Day will return to the streets after four years without doing so.
The last one was in 2019, but the covid pandemic – the following two years – and the death of Queen Elizabeth II, in 2023, forced the events to be suspended. Picardo has cited both cases as his other main challenges in office.
Furthermore, it emphasizes the spirit of self-determination that this National Day remembers and has referred to the congratulations received from King Charles III, who “takes into account the continued support of the people of Gibraltar and is pleased to be aware of the numerous acts of this week to celebrate our National Day,” he added.
This Sunday, therefore, the usual events of this celebration are recovered, such as the speeches, the parade and the various musical performances. This year, a group of 18 members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords of the United Kingdom have traveled to Gibraltar for National Day, as well as a delegation of leaders from the British Overseas Territories.
