The United Kingdom and Gibraltar Governments have agreed to continue with the structure of Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) meetings for intergovernmental business going forward into the future.

The decision was taken at the latest meeting of the JMC which took place in London yesterday afternoon. The structure for regular fixed meetings between Ministers and senior officials of the two Governments has worked very well during the EU exit process.

The latest meeting was chaired by Parliamentary Undersecretary of State at the Department for Exiting the European Union Robin Walker MP and also included Armed Forces Minister Mark Lancaster MP and Robert Jenrick MP Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury.

The Gibraltar delegation was led by the Chief Minister Fabian Picardo. It included the Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia, who is responsible for work related to our departure from the European Union, Health, Care and Justice Minister Neil Costa, Attorney General Michael Llamas, Financial Secretary Albert Mena and UK Representative Dominique Searle.

There was a detailed discussion on Brexit contingency matters with the different departments present like the Treasury, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for Exiting the European Union, the Department of Health, of Education, of Transport, of Culture, Media and Sport and DEFRA.

The range of Ministers and officials present in the meeting demonstrates the commitment of both Governments to making a success of the process.

The proposed future relationship negotiations, which will open immediately in the event of the adoption of the Withdrawal Agreement, was also discussed. The meeting ended with a discussion of bilateral UK-Gibraltar issues.

10-04-19 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR