IT-TLETTAX-IL LEĠIŻLATURA

P.L. 8

Dokument imqiegħed fuq il-Mejda tal-Kamra tad-Deputati fis-Seduta Numru 2 tas-26 ta’ Ġunju 2017 mill-Ispeaker, l-Onor. Anġlu Farrugia.

______Raymond Scicluna Skrivan tal-Kamra

47th British Islands and Mediterranean Region Conference

21 - 24 May 2017

Hon Anglu Farrugia, Speaker Hon Godfrey Farrugia, MP Parliamentary Delegation Report to the House of Representatives.

Date: 21 - 24 May 2017

Venue: Gibraltar

Maltese delegation: Honourable Anglu Farrugia M.P., President of the House of Representatives, Dr. Godfrey Farrugia (Former Government Whip)

Programme: At the invitation of the Gibraltar CPA Branch, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairperson of the CPA Small Branches, attended the 47th British Islands and Mediterranean Region (BIMR) Annual Conference. Report drawn by the Speaker.

Participation of Speaker Honourable An{)lu Farrugia at the BIMR Annual Conference.

The 47th British Islands and Mediterranean Region (BIMR) Conference was held in Gibraltar between the 21st and the 24th of May 2017. As Chairperson of the Small Branches of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, I was invited to attend and participate in this conference and on the session of Monday, 22nd May 2017, I chaired the Plenary Session 2 with regard to the role of Small Branches. Among the speakers, there was Hon. Geoffrey Boot from the Isle of Man.

I also participated in the only workshop that took place after the plenary session on Tuesday, 23'd May 2017, with regard to the effect of Brexit on different communities in the region. In fact, besides being Chair during this workshop, I made my own keynote speech with regard to this workshop where I referred to various cases to the members of the BIMR, such as the main industry being tourism, as being an important industry where in some cases it amounts to 10% to 15% of the GDP and that the majority of tourists came from the UK and other EU member states.

I mentioned this point in order to stress how important it is that the solidarity between the countries and the branches in this region should continue to be close, notwithstanding the effect of Brexit I referred also to the most acute impact of open borders that may be felt by the branches of this region were in discussions about borders including the bringing up of long line contentions according to sovereignty. In fact, I also referred to the case of calling for co-sovereignty over Gibraltar where some say that Brexit may also rekindle Argentines claim over the , . which are also members of this region. It seems that all of the BIMR members need to articulate their own relationship with UK or the EU, as applicable.

In this session we also discussed the specifications of our region with a view to continue the relationship afforded to us, to our common past, and retain the commonwealth to increase mutual open borders, not only by increasing the movement of holiday makers but also of workers. In fact, in the case of Gibraltar the work force comprises of over 12,000 people who commute daily from Spain specifically for employment

The Deputy Andrew Lewis of Jersey, the Attorney General of Gibraltar, Michael Llamas, and Hon. Joyce Watson of also addressed this workshop.

During the Plenary Session 3, the effect of Brexit on the region and turning to the Commonwealth post-Brexit well discussed. The main speaker was the Deputy Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Hon. Dr Joseph Garcia, who spoke about Brexit and Gibraltar. He also answered questions and in one of my observations with regard to the case of Gibraltar, I referred to the citizens' rights post-Brexit In fact I stated that several members of parliament of the European Union reiterated their major concern not only over the three million European citizens in the UK, who are uncertain about the rights after March 2019, being the theoretical date for the UK to leave the EU, but also of British citizens in the European Union who amount to more than 1.2 million and that

I

I the European Parliament has already received over 7,000 letters on the subject where the third category of the individuals should be taken into account

I also mentioned the position of the chief negotiator of the EU, Michel Barnier, who said that, "We first need to tackle the rights of the citizens and the orderly withdrawal of the .", at the State of the Union Conference, organised by the European University Institute of Florence, he also stated "that it is also a political necessity. We will not discuss our future relationship with UK until the 27 member states are reassured that all citizens will be treated properly and humanely, otherwise there can be no trust when it comes to constructing a new relationship with the UK." Thus, I did ask the Deputy Chief Minister, who is also the Minister of Gibraltar for Brexit, whether he considers that, if the are being discriminated by the EU with regard to the rights that they enjoyed before the Brexit, in order to protect the same rights post-Brexit he would consider to take the case before the European Court of Justice to seek redress. I also asked him this question since the Court of Justice of the EU is the competent court on the interpretation of these rights in the event of conflicts and that is out of question to create a new body to replace the court.

Since Gibraltar became a member of the EU together with the UK in 1973 and due to the fact that last year 96% of the Gibraltarians voted in a separate referendum and decided that they should remain in the EU, I asked whether Gibraltar would consider to take the matter before the European Court of Justice to consider their position as continuing on being members of the EU once the reverse was done in the case of Greenland and Andorra years before. I also said that the fact that they would not be given that right meant that it could also be interpreted as discriminatory application of the EU position with regard to Gibraltar. Dr Garcia said that all options would be taken into consideration.

The conference ended on Tuesday evening where we discussed the reports of the workshop that I chaired as well as the Steering Committee of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, including the minutes of the General Assembly of the BIMR, which took place during the session of Monday morning.

Hon. Godfrey Farrugia, former Government Whip, accompanied me during this conference and he also participated in the workshop on Brexit

I also participated in various interviews; one with the daily newspaper Gibraltar , and one with the main Gibraltar television stations where I was interviewed about this conference and about the historical attachment between and Gibraltar, in particular to the Maltese community and the Maltese surnames that are found in the Gibraltarian population which amount to about one third of the population, that is 11 ,000 out of 33,000.

i Speaker of the House of Representatives interviewed by Gibraltarian newspaper, THE PANORAMA.

What do you think of the Conference?

Malta is one the members of the BIMR, which includes the member states of the Commonwealth within the Mediterranean and other countries like the Falkland Islands, St. Helena etc. That also includes , as being part of the British Island Mediterranean Region.

The Conference is being organized by the Gibraltar branch and we accepted the invitation. I accepted the invitation also because I am going to chair two of the sessions.

What is your opinion of Gibraltar in the current changing circumstances? Malta is still in EU; do you feel like Gibraltar would be disadvantaged for being out of the EU with Britain?

It is not a question of being at a disadvantage or not, it is the existence of the realities. We have the Brexit effect and we still have to wait for the discussions of the exit process, which could take more than two or three years. Malta and Cyprus are the only EU members who are also part of the BIMR. It is quite interesting, at parliamentary level, to have this discussion on the post-Brexit with regards to Gibraltar and other oversea territories that are going to be effected because of the Brexit.

How do you see the relations between Gibraltar and Malta? We obviously have this sort of familiar relationship in terms of so many routes of Gibraltarians?

Yes! I know that about one third of your population have Maltese surnames.

Yes, my surname is Mifsud!

Mifsud is very popular in Malta. We are very conscious about that and we are very proud that quite a substantial part of the Gibraltarian population is of Maltese breed. This make the Gibraltarian population quite interesting because it is mainly Maltese, Genoese, Jewish and also Moroccan and Spanish. It is a mix of these populations. Malta is relatively becoming like that because although our population is nearly half a million, over 400,000, we do have quite a large number of foreigners who are settling in Malta. This is happening for many reasons but mostly because of the economic boom. As you know, Malta is second with regard to economic growth in the EU and it is the second in the Euro Zone as well. Therefore, we have many foreigners coming over to our island, also because the Maltese employment force is not enough. I know that you have the same situation and you have a lot of Spanish crossing the border to come to work. So we have that kind of similarity.

On the other hand, you are also close to the Northern African countries, like with your immediacy. Malta is also close to other parts of the Northern African side, like Egypt, Libya and . We are unique because our official language is Maltese, which is Semitic, but it is the only Semitic language in the world, which is written in Roman letters. I know that 20 years ago, when I was here, there were still some Gibraltarians who still used to write and speak a little bit of Maltese. Probably now the language is lost completely in Gibraltar.

What do you feel about this conference and that it is set here in this particular time? What is the impact of having this conference right now here in Gibraltar?

It is very important in view of the realities of Europe that Gibraltar is hosting this conference, especially when we have not yet started the Brexit negotiations. I think the fact that Gibraltar is pressing hard - rightly, so- to be involved in the Brexit talks is something, which should be discussed between the fellow parliamentarians of the member states of this BIMR, which include Malta and Cyprus.

What is the way forward for us? Under Britain, we were sort of dragged down that sort of path of seclusion, which is probably the antithesis of what a Mediterranean country should be.

What I think is not necessarily the way forward but I think that the fact that we are a very strong Commonwealth group helps a lot, even the solidarity with Gibraltar with regard to the way forward.

This morning I was listening to your Chief Minister in the , when we opened this conference, and he said that if the EU flag goes down at least we will put up the Commonwealth flag and that is a very important observation.

Is it more valid to seek a more devolved state from Britain or to make our own arrangements?

Our history is of great particularity because we went above what you are saying. We became independent in 1964. We were still independent but the Head of State was a monarch, that is, the Queen of England, whom we admire. She likes Malta and we received the Queen about one &a half years ago when we had the CHOGM. However, we said that we should have another model; we should be independent and a republic, so we changed the Constitution. Then we said that we have to be independent, republic and neutral so we decided not have any bases in Malta and in 1979 we got rid of all the bases. The neutrality was entrenched in our Constitution. Therefore, our way forward is unique.

You Gibraltarians have to think about models that are best for you. I am sure that you did very well during the last 30 years, even when there was the blockade in the 1960s. I am sure you will find a proper way forward.

With what you've seen around Gibraltar, do you thing we are ready for more independent solution, to uphold it, or to resolve either reliance? I think you should work out the way forward with Britain; in French, it is called 'une cohabitation', the cohabitation has to survive.

And what do you think about the continuous pressure from Spain? Is it something you can relate to?

We do not want to interfere in the relations with Malta and Spain regarding Gibraltar. The point is that this is a unique situation where your government has to work very strongly with Britain and with the support of the Commonwealth members. That is why this particular conference is very important and this morning we had the participation of two other EU members, Cyprus and Malta, where we could share how we can think further about this. But again, it is very early because even the Brexit talks are still behind. Hopefully they will start by November.

Do you feel a bit stuck in between two different camps, that is the Commonwealth camp and the Europe camp?

No, I don't see it like that. We are a member of the EU, that is something that was decided by the Maltese in a referendum, and we are doing very well in the EU, but we are also a member of the Commonwealth and we have a special relationship with Britain. The relations between Malta and the United Kingdom date back to ages and ages ago. We believe that there has to be a better understanding of both parties. Both England and the EU have to understand that irrespective of the Brexit, we have to continue on sharing the better foreseeable future together, but this all depends on the Brexit talks.

Do you feel during the Post-Brexit negotiations the EU to stand by Spain on this idea that they have to agree on any deal that concerns Gibraltar within the talks coming up?

I go on what the parliamentarians are saying. I think that this is a very important topic that we are sharing together during this conference.

If Gibraltar did choose an independence path, would Malta support Gibraltar within the EU as a sponsoring state?

I think that the fact that you want to belong to the EU, as the referendum showed with 96% of the Gibraltarians wanting to keep on being part of the EU, should be given due consideration. After all the European concept is not about the size of your population, it is about the value of the EU itself.

Would Malta support Gibraltar with their path?

That is a very interesting question, which we have to discuss because I cannot vouch for other parliamentarians. At the moment, the Parliament is dissolved in Malta because we have the elections coming on 3rd June. So that would be much more interesting after that day. Thank you very much. I KAMRA TAD-DEPUTATI (t HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PARLAMENT TA' MALTA

L·l$p68kt!lf

Speech by The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Malta, the Hon. Angelo Farrugia, at the CPABIMR, Gibraltar. Plenary Session 2: The role of Small Branches

Through the annual CPA, the Commonwealth gives all nations a voice, which is equal regardless of the size of the country, its population and its financial capacity. Yet, while treating all members equally, the Commonwealth has also been cognizant of the differences between members and has provided a space for members with specific realities to come together. In fact, since 1981, the CPA held Small Branches Conferences for the 43 Members whose populations are under 500,000 people. These conferences have enabled parliamentarians and parliamentary staff to share their experiences of parliamentary democracy in a small branch with a view to addressing common difficulties.

We are now facing a post-Brexit scenario in which the UK, that is the largest and most influential Branch of the BIMR, will be leaving the European Union, which is the largest and most open economy in the world. In so doing, the relationships between the EU and several small branches, most notably fellow members of the BIMR, will change.

The Commonwealth has always worked in the spirit of voluntary cooperation, goodwill, partnership and understanding, openness, flexibility and can be used to create ever-stronger relationships between its members, not least members which are small branches. The Commonwealth's intention to strengthen the relationships between small branches was concretised only last December, with the introduction of the role of Chairperson for Small Branches.

I augur that this new role, the CPA and Small Branches Conferences and technology will bring us together even after Brexit so that we will continue to give all people a voice through promoting democracy, good governance, rule of , separation of powers, human rights, equality of access to healthcare, freedom of expression and sustainable development.

KAMAA TAD-DEPUTATI (I HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PAAlAMENT TA' MALTA

Speech by The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Malta, the Hon. Angelo Farrugia, atthe CPABIMR, Gibraltar. Plenary Session 3: The effect of Brexit on the Region and turning to the Commonwealth post-Brexit

The Commonwealth comprises 2.2 billion citizens from 53 independent nations spanning six continents and brings together roughly a quarter of the world's governments and parliamentarians, facilitating discussion, decisions and trade among different countries, languages, religions, cultures and ideologies. Decisions taken by the Commonwealth helped end the apartheid in South Africa, white rule in Zimbabwe, helped countries establish constitutions, , independent electoral commissions and peaceful elections, and helped establish intellectual property rights of authors, musicians and inventors. Yet despite these achievements, over the years questions have arisen about its relevance.

The Commonwealth gives all nations a voice, which is equal regardless of the size of the country, its population and its financial capacity. The Commonwealth gives all people a voice through working with parliaments and governments to promote democracy, good governance, rule of law, separation of powers, human rights, equality of access to healthcare, freedom of expression and sustainable development. Additionally, the Commonwealth gives all people a voice through "the people's Commonwealth", which brings together voluntary, independent, professional, philanthropic and sporting organisations to improve the lives of the grassroots. To do this, the Commonwealth works in the spirit of voluntary cooperation, goodwill, partnership and understanding, openness, flexibility. Thus, the relevance of the Commonwealth depends on all of us and our commitment to continue our relationship and translate it into actions that leave true meaning for the citizens that we represent.

We are now facing a post-Brexit scenario in which the UK, that is the largest and most influential Branch of the BIMR, will be leaving the European Union, which is the largest and most open economy in the world. The close geographic and cultural poximity of our region with the European Union will surely lead to short- and long-term repercussions on our region and it will be for us to turn the challenges into opportunities.

KAMRA TAD-DEPUTATI (t HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PARLAMENTTA' MALTA

L·JSpealuN

Speech by The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Malta, the Ron. Angelo Farrugia, at the CPABIMR, Gibraltar. Plenary Session 3- Workshop B: Brexit and borders in the Region/the role of small branches

Despite our different statuses and relationships with the EU, what is common among BIMR members is that the EU has enabled us all to have open borders with the EU, and thus open borders with each other. When we think about borders, the imagery that we may conjure is queues of people, lining up at country entry points, such as air or seaports. While the EU, and Schengen in particular, have facilitated entry and limited queues at entry points, open borders within the EU has done significantly more than ·that: it has allowed for unprecedented opportunities for tourism, trade and employment, increased security and stability in the region.

In all BIMR members, tourism is an important industry, in some cases accounting for 10 to 15% of the GDP, and the majority of tourists come from the UK or other EU Member States. For BIMR members with close proximity to other EU Member States, such as the Isle of Man, Wales, the , Malta and Gibraltar, open borders allowed holidaymakers to make BIMR members their holiday destination, or to entertain short trips to BIMR members as part of a longer trip in neighbouring areas.

Open borders not only increased the movement of holidaymakers, but also of workers. The workforce of UKOTs and, to a lesser extent, that of Malta and Cyprus, relies heavily on migrants (mainly from the UK and the EU). Apart from migrants, Gibraltar's workforce comprises 12,000 people who commute daily from Spain. Considering the challenges of unemployment in certain countries, and the lack of residents of working age in other countries, one may conclude that workforce mobility generally benefits both the host countries and the country of departure.

When it comes to trade, open borders between BIMR members and the EU has allowed for goods and services to be sold to a much larger market than would have otherwise been possible. The challenge now is continuing to increase trade when a huge market may potentially be lost or may become prohibitively cumbersome or expensive.

Perhaps the most acute impact of open borders may be felt by BIMR members wherein discussions about borders bring up long-lying contentions regarding sovereignty. Since the Brexit referendum, we have heard calls for an independent and a united Ireland. We have also heard Spain calling for co-sovereignty over Gibraltar and some may say that Brexit may rekindle Argentina's claims over the Falkland Islands. Questions over the status and rights of residents of Akrotiri and Dhekelia have also been raised.

All BIMR members have much to lose if borders between the UK and the EU are shut, thus it seems that most BIMR members would favour retaining their close relationship, and perhaps strengthening it. Yet each BIMR member is currently at a different crossroads and has different aspirations. Thus, it seems that each BIMR member needs to articulate its own relationship with the UK or the EU, as applicable.

In this session we can discuss the specificities of our region with a view to continuing the relationship afforded to us through our common past and retained through the Commonwealth, to increase mutual understanding and to strengthen our relationship for many years to come and to support one another in our bilateral and multilateral relations with other countries. In so doing we can truly turn borders into bridges. Annex to this Report:

o Official invitation issued by the Speaker of the Parliament of Gibraltar and President ofthe CPA Gibraltar o Official programme and agenda o Copy of the speech of the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Hon. . o Copy of electronic newspaper the Panorama COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION Gibmftar Brancft

14 February 2017

47lh BRITISH ISLANDS AND MEDITERRANEAN REGION CONFERENCE

1 GIBRALTAR 21' - 241h MAY 2017

Dear Branch President,

It gives me great pleasure to extend an invitation to your Branch, on behalf of the Gibraltar CPA Branch, to attend the 47'" British Islands and Mediterranean Region (BIMR) Annual Conference, to take place in Gibraltar 21"- 24th May 2017.

The theme of the Conference is "Small Branches", and we wish to explore how Small Branches have developed and maintained a meaningful connection with the CPA I hope our approach will stimulate open discussions on the relevant challenges and opportunities facing parliamentarians.

In accordance with the usual protocols for BIMR Conferences, the invitation covers the attendance of four delegates, while the smaller branches of our region (Aiderney, the Falklands and St. Helena) are entitled to two delegates. The CPA Gibraltar Branch Secretary will contact Branch Secretaries to take arrangements forward.

We are particularly honoured and pleased to be hosting this Conference and I am looking forward to welcoming all delegates to Gibraltar.

Yours sincerely

Hon A J Canepa O.B.E. G.M.H. Speaker President, CPA Gibraltar

President: The Hon A J Canepa OBE GMH MP Vice Presidents: The Hon F R Plcardo QC MP The Hon D A Feetham QC MP Pa~lament House, 156 Maln Street, Gibraltar

Tel: (+350) 20078420 Fax: (+350) 20042849 E-mail: [email protected] COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION Gi6raftar Branch

47th BRITISH ISLANDS AND MEDITERRANEAN REGION CONFERENCE

Gibraltar 21st- 24th May 2017

CONFERENCE THEME: Strengthening the role of the BIMR region and considering the role of small branches post Brexit

Official Arrival Day: Sunday 21st May 2017

Official Departure Day: Wednesday 241h May 2017

Venue & Accommodation: Rock Hotel, Gibraltar

Sunday 21st May 2017

All day: Arrival of Conference Delegates Transport from Gibraltar Airport to hotel will be provided

12:00 - 20.00 Registration at Hotel

All Delegates

18:30 Informal Welcome Reception hosted by the Presiding Officer & CPA Gibraltar Branch Executive Committee Members

Khaima Restaurant, Rock Hotel

19:30 Free evening for Delegates

i Monday 22"d May 2017

08.00- 08.45 CWP Steering Committee Breakfast meeting Boardroom, 1st Floor, Rock Hotel

08.45 Assemble in foyer of Hotel- Met by CPA Gibraltar Branch staff

09:00 Depart Hotel for the Gibraltar Parliament

09:15 Arrive at the Gibraltar Parliament

09:30 Official Opening address by the Speaker of the Gibraltar Parliament the Hon GMH OBE.

Official welcome by the Hon the Chief Minister Fabian Picardo QC MP

09:45 Family photo

10:15 Depart Parliament for Rock Hotel

10.30 - 11.30 BIMRAGM Victory Suite- Rock Hotel

11.45 Comfort Break- Teas/Coffee

12.00- 13.30 Plenary Session 1 -Strengthening of the Region in the CPC Victory Suite- Rock Hotel Chair: Rt. Hon. Lord Foulkes Speaker: Mrs Margaret Mitchell, MSP, Scotland Mr Rhun ap lorwerth AM, Wales Mr Bill Shimmins MHK, Isle of Man Secretary: Mr AI Davies, Wales

13.30- 15.00 Buffet Lunch In Hotel

15.00- 16.30 Plenary Session 2 -The role of small branches Victory Suite- Rock Hotel Chair: Hon Angelo Farrugia MP, Malta Speakers: Geoffrey Boot MHK, Isle of Man Secretary: Mrs Margaret Neal, Scotland

EVENING

19.10 Assemble in Hotel foyer

19.15 Depart Hotel

19:30 - 20:00 Dinner hosted by the President of the CPA Gibraltar Branch at

22.30 Return to Hotel (approx.) Tuesday 23'd May 2017

08:30- 09.45 Plenary Session 3- The effect of Brexit on the Region and turning to the Commonwealth post Brexit Victory Suite- Rock Hotel Chair: Mr Tavish Scott MSP, Scotland Speaker: Hon Dr J J Garcia MP, Gibraltar; "Brexit & Gibraltar" Secretary: Mrs Lisa Hart, Jersey

09.45- 10.00 Coffee Break

10.00- 11.30 Workshop: Effect of Brexit on different communities in the Region Chair: Hon Angelo Farrugia MP, Malta Speaker: Deputy Andrew Lewis, Jersey Mr Michael Llamas QC, HM Attorney General for Gibraltar Joyce Watson AM, Wales Secretary: Mrs Christiana Solomonidou, Cyprus

11.30-12.30 Rock Tour

12.30-14.30 Buffet Lunch- Top of the Rock Restaurant, Mons Calpe Suite

14:30-16.00 Conference Closing Remarks Victory Suite- Rock Hotel Chair: Hon MP, Gibraltar Speaker: Deputy Sam Mezec, Jersey Mrs Rhianon Passmore AM, Wales Secretary: Mrs Nicola Crawford, N Ireland

EVENING

19.20 Assemble in Hotel foyer

19:30- 20:00 Farewell Gala Dinner, Khaima Restaurant, Rock Hotel

22:30 Return to Hotel (approx.) Wednesday 24th May 2017

Day of Departure I Optional Culture Day

Participants can opt to take any one tour or may wish to take both tours.

Tour1 360° vs 412m Tour (1.5 hours/2 hours/Level: Low-Medium)

360° tour of Gibraltar to highlight points of interest including beaches for activities, mountain cl imbing areas and marinas. A 4min ride up 412m to the top of the Rock to admire geographical situation of Gibraltar. Enjoy the flora and fauna and the impressive views to Africa.

11:00 Depart from Rock Hotel for 360° vs 412m Tour

13:00 Free time for lunch

Tour2 Dolphin Adventure (1.5 hours/Level: Low)

This adventure takes you out to sea where you can visit our resident dolphins in the with the iconic "Rock" as the backdrop to this magical experience.

Dolphin Adventure commences at 15:30 hours

15:15 (Transfer to Dolphin Adventure can be arranged if required from Rock Hotel) Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

Your Excellency, Mr Speakers, Ministers, Ladies & Gentlemen, Dear friends & parliamentary colleagues

This is my first official engagement since the atrocities in Manchester last night.

I would therefore ask you to please join me in showing our solidarity with the people of Manchester and the United Kingdom by commencing the evening with a one minute silence.

[SILENCE]

Thank you.

Last night the world once again witnessed a horrific act of terrorism play out across our television screens.

Many of us woke this morning to be greeted by the images of tragedy playing out on the streets of the great City which is Manchester.

That great Northern Powerhouse was scarred forever by an attack that killed children and young people indiscriminately.

It is only sixty days since the attack on Westminster by a lone terrorist.

Yet very time we see the effects of an attack we are rightly horrified by the human toll.

Every time we hear of an atrocity I feel how in Gibraltar, and no doubt in each of your home nations, we collectively recoil and brace ourselves in horror. And yet, every time, we know it will not be the last time.

For it is clear that there is a collective madness that has gripped some in society.

A collective madness that leads people to kill in order to cause terror.

As if terror will persuade or cajole the rest of us to give up our freedoms.

To surrender our beliefs.

Or to change our values.

Well, the evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates that we will not.

When the Irish Republican Army terrorized British cities in pursuit of their armed struggle, it did not change the .

It galvanized us against the cause of an Ireland united by the barrel of a gun.

When the ETA terrorists pursued their objectives through violence in Spain, killing innocents in supermarkets and airports, it did not persuade the people of Spain.

It horrified them and alienated them from the cause of Basque independence secured by explosion and extortion.

When AI Qaeda used aircraft as weapons killing thousands on one day in the of America, it did not cajole the world into accepting the precepts of fundamentalist Islam.

It moved every man and woman on the planet who believes in democracy to an understanding that the sword, the gun and the bomb are not replacement for the pen, debate and the word in the art of persuasion.

Yet there are still terrorists in the world.

Now more likely deployed as lone wolves hoping to avoid increasingly sophisticated methods of detection. Have we changed?

Are we more afraid?

Perhaps as we watch our screens and clutch our children closer.

But not in the way we live our lives.

Our law enforcement agencies.

Our security services.

Our armed forces.

They ensure we are and feel safe.

They do so because we, the parliamentarians representing the democracies on planet earth give them the legislative authority to do so.

That is what our people wish us to do.

We are elected to manage our national affairs and the first responsibility of government is to ensure the security of our citizens.

That is why my Government will shortly be publishing Bills for Acts to provide for Counter Terrorism and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers.

Because a modern world unfortunately requires modern legislation granting modern powers to law enforcement and security agencies that effectively allow them the tools to do the job we expect from them.

But this is no "war on terror".

But we must not allow ourselves to fall into the trap of thinking that we are facing an army of terrorists with which we are at war. It is actually increasingly a small band of deranged individuals who deserve the utter derision and contempt of all democrats around the planet.

We are in a struggle for sanity.

And as the voice of those democracies that elect representatives by direct universal suffrage, we must stand up and be counted in that struggle.

Our role is also to ensure that there is no glamour or other attraction which might persuade anyone to take the side of the murderers.

In Gibraltar, we have not been untouched by terrorism.

In 1988 Irish Republican terrorists planned an attack on the Rock.

The then British Prime Minister gave authority for military assistance to the civilian law enforcement agencies in dealing with what appeared to be an imminent threat to life.

Rightly so.

There can be no other way.

Today's Gibraltar is very different to the one you might see if you care to Youtube the grainy footage of the then notorious "" documentary.

The level of prosperity we enjoy in Gibraltar today is the achievement of successive generations of Gibraltarians working to build a small but proud Mediterranean nation.

Our economy is today stronger than ever.

Unemployment is at record lows.

Our public debt is lower than it has been for years, falling every year since we formed Government. More companies are seeking licences to operate in financial services than before the referendum.

More companies are seeking licences to operate in the online gaming industry than before the referendum.

And more individuals and companies are relocating to Gibraltar.

Indeed, Gibraltar is now the ONLY part of the continental European geography to which it is certain that a British Citizen will be able to relocate after Brexit.

And we are the only jurisdiction in Europe from which it is established that there will be free movement of services to the UK after Britain leaves the EU.

And the weather isn't bad either.

Not a bad proposition for business.

We have nonetheless also secured a long term investment in Gibraltar via Government owned companies which provides a war chest to manage any unexpected post Brexit turbulence.

Although I predict that we will not have to ask our people to fasten our seatbelts quite yet.

Indeed, we expect to be in a position to declare, once again, a healthy surplus, a very healthy surplus in fact, in respect of our estimates of expenditure.

We have achieved that in the context of one of the smallest jurisdictions in the world.

A jurisdiction which needs to operate in the proper context of its size.

A parliament of 17 cannot operate with the committees and procedures of a parliament of 650.

That is why, as soon as I was elected as Chief Minister, I established a c Commission on Democratic and Parliamentary Reform.

The Commission was chaired by our Speaker and former Chief Minister, Adolfo Canepa, who was leader of a political party unaffiliated to my own.

It included two former parliamentarians, both of them former Government Ministers from parties unaffiliated to my own as well as the now Chairman of the political party we face in opposition, himself also a Queens Counsel.

That Commission has made a number of recommendations.

Many have already been adopted.

Some are to be considered in a Select Committee which I expect will shortly start its work.

Some conclusions and recommendations may surprise you.

But please do consider the work we do in our 17 member parliament must be bespoke to the reality of this jurisdiction.

For example, the Commission reported that:

"[It] concluded that there is no need to establish a General Purpose Standing Committee nor a Public Accounts Committee, given that Opposition Members have every opportunity to examine Government expenditure in detail as well as debating the report from the Principal Auditor on the Government accounts for every financial year."

That may be anathema to a Westminster parliamentarian operating in a parliament in permanent session with 500 members who are not in the Executive.

But we must understand always, that the success of the Commonwealth is in its diversity.

That means the differences between us which enrich our relationship so long as they are based on the same values and freedoms we all believe in. There is no point taking about diversity and then not understanding that our parliaments must, perforce, be different in adapting themselves to the reality of the communities that we serve.

And we must start looking at our different parliamentary models, no less democratic or transparent one from the other, and understanding our differences.

For that is how we can be instruments of democracy and prosperity and not tyrants imposing a "one size fits all" model which doesn't work for all.

That is how we ensure that the Westminster system, the adversarial and party political model continues to deliver even in a place as small as Gibraltar.

That is why my Government changed the frequency of our parliamentary timetable so that our Parliament now meets each month for questions, including Questions to the Chief Minister.

Before we met less frequently and perhaps not more than twice a year as required by our Constitution.

And that is how we deliver prosperity even in the teeth of a decision which we did not wish, namely the decision that we should leave the European Union.

Not by avoiding democratic debate.

But by embracing it.

For that is how we are poised to make a success even of this difficult juncture.

By working with the United Kingdom to give effect to the democratically expressed will of the British people including the people of Gibraltar.

By working with unions and employers in understanding their needs in the creation of our economic plan for the horizon beyond membership of the European Single Market. By always remaining open to dialogue with our neighbouring nations, but never, ourselves, giving in to coercion or political blackmail.

Because it is by accepting the results that emerge from freely and fairly filled ballot boxes that we believe that we should make decisions.

Whether in relation to Europe.

Or in relation to sovereignty.

But one thing is clear, although we are leaving the European Union, we should not abandon our European partnerships.

An important part of the security of the United Kingdom and with it Gibraltar arises from strong partnerships with European allies and others around the world.

Leaving the EU must not lead to any compromise in the continued cooperation on matters related to security or law enforcement.

Otherwise, the terrorists, the criminals, the fraudsters will win.

The evil that these men do will live after them ...

Those who have worked hard to create partnerships based on cooperation will loose. Let the good they have done in creating such security cooperation not be interred with Brexit.

Nights like last night in Manchester require us to avoid that.

Or we will wake more often to news we would rather not watch.

Thank you. 5/30/2017 Commonwealth delegates visit Gibraltar Parliament

Commonwealth delegates visit Gibraltar Parliament

May 23,2017

Delegates attending the British Isla nds and Mediterranean Region Conference in Gibraltar yesterday visited the Gibraltar Parliament where the Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, and Speaker Adolfo Canepa addressed the guests.

Later they attended the unveiling of a plaque by the Chief Minister, commemorating the centenary of the building which now houses the Parliament.

23·05-17 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR

TODAY'S PAPER

scheme to pro1·ide imtlrored The entire parking opportunities • liu for la11 • --~~~-· 1!'1'3rofbO!l names •• :C.: published • IN FULL -- ..I '~-·· Encournging response to of the year 2017, ~~!a~ili~ a"ar!ness !raining (;mcrnmenl 11i 'h~ ' Uetfairl>add1 J>mH•r 11 ~ 11 a' the) ll'alc Gibraltar . (/FilesfTUESDAY _30_May_2017._305201773922.png)

30 May2017

BREXIT

If there was another referendum about Brexit held tomorrow, how would you vote?

Leave Remain Don't know Don't care

Gibraltar Sportlinks

http://gi braltarpanorama.gi/15209/289392/a/com monwealth-delegates-visit-gibraltar -pari iament ~ 112