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Picardo has top-level meetings in London,
including the Prime Minister
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The Chief Minister,Fabian Picardo and Mrs Picardo return to Gibraltar early today, having spent the weekend attending the Diamond Jubilee events in London.
Mr and Mrs Picardo were able to speak with The Prince of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Earl and Countess of Wessex, who confirmed that they were very much looking forward to visiting Gibraltar next week.
At one of the receptions at Buckingham Palace, Mr Picardo had an opportunity to speak to the Prime Minister, David Cameron about the topical issues affecting Gibraltar.
Mr Cameron was clear and unequivocal in his support for Gibraltar. The Chief Minister thanked the Prime Minister for his remarks in January in the European Parliament, defending the right to self determination of the people of Gibraltar.
At the same event Mr Picardo had a chance to speak also with the Chancellor, George Osborne about the UK Government's proposals in respect of a consumption tax relating to online gaming. Further contacts with Junior Ministers at the Treasury will ensue as a result.
The Chief Minister also spoke to the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg in order to update him on the current issues affecting Gibraltar generally.
William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, made arrangements to meet the Chief Minister at his home at Carlton Gardens after a lunch at Lancaster House. Mr Picardo spent half an hour with Mr Hague discussing issues related to the present incursions into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters by the Guardia Civil, the forthcoming session of the Committee of 24 at the United Nations and Gibraltar issues generally.
The Chief Minister said: "Forming part of the Diamond Jubilee events has been a great privilege for my wife, Justine and me. Speaking to the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chancellor allows me to confirm the confidence I had that Gibraltar's position on all issues is well and clearly understood in London. The Foreign Secretary, William Hague, in particular, clearly understands all the nuances of the Gibraltar issue and I am confident that the position of the UK Government in respect of British Gibraltar
Territorial Waters and the Sovereignty of Gibraltar has been and will continue to be made clear to Spain."
06-06-12
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