NATIONAL PRIDE
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We celebrate Gibraltar’s biggest and best day with our special 8-page supplement inside
OLIVE PRESS
National Day
September 2024
National Day celebrates everything that makes Gibraltar great
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VERY year on September 10, the Rock of Gibraltar comes alive with a vibrant celebration – National Day. It goes beyond just fun and festivities - although there are plenty of those. several historic moments National Day commemorates for Gibraltar, most importantly the 1967 referendum voted to remain British. where residents overwhelmingly This day also celebrates self-determination, with tar boasting its own parliament Gibraland a strong sense of identity. Festivities kick off with tition, transforming Maina children’s fancy dress compeStreet into a colourful parade. Throughout the day, John Mackintosh Square plays to a lively street party, host offer special deals andwhile private bars and restaurants entertainment. Continues on next page
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FREE Vol. 8 Issue 231 www.theolivepress.es September 4th - September 17th 2024
LAST DITCH Spain’s foreign minister to fly to London this month in an attempt to save post-Brexit deal on Gibraltar By Simon Hunter
SPAIN: Jose Manuel Albares
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SPANISH Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares will make a visit to London in the coming weeks as part of a last-ditch effort to save a post-Brexit deal on Gibraltar. Albares will be meeting with his new British counterpart, David Lammy, to try to hammer out the British Overseas Territory’s relationship with the European Union now that the UK has left the bloc. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo is already in London meeting with Lammy ahead of time in preparation for the showdown talks. The clock is ticking for the deal to be struck, given that the EU’s negotiating team is expected to be renewed in November, while around the same time the EU’s new Entry/Exit System for the automatic monitoring of border crossings in the Schengen Area will come into force. The introduction of the system will mean that the border crossing between Gibraltar and Spain will be subject to the same controls as if the British Territory were a third country. Sources consulted by El Pais said that if Albares and Lammy are able to come to an agreement, a three-way meeting with the vice-president of the European Commission, Maros
Sefcovic (below), could then be held to seal the deal. Since the Labour government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer took power in the UK, Albares and Lammy have met once, at the Nato summit in Washington on July 7. They committed to improving bilateral relations between their countries and also said that they would strive to reach a deal on Gibraltar. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has also met with Keir Starmer, on July 18 in Oxfordshire. According to the Moncloa presidential palace, both said they were convinced that a Gibraltar deal was ‘very close’. El Pais reported that the main sticking points between Spain and the UK are demands from Madrid that S p a n ish offi-
UK: David Lammy
Star attraction GRETA Scacchi is the first big name to be announced as attending this year’s Gibraltar Literary Festival. Known for her roles in films such as Heat and Dust, White Mischief, Presumed Innocent, and The Player, Scacchi has captivated audiences worldwide for over four decades. At the festival, Scacchi will be interviewed by film journalist and regular book festival host, Peter Guttridge. The conversation will dive into her illustrious career, exploring her collaborations with international film stars and acclaimed directors. The Minister for Tourism, the Hon Christian Santos, said: “This event promises to be a highlight of the Literary Festival, offering valuable insights into the life and career of a global screen and stage star. The festival is being held between November 11 and 17.
cers who man border posts and check arrivals in Gibraltar be armed and wear uniform, as well as being able to freely circulate around the border area. The UK has rejected this demand given that British authorities are not usually armed.
Pension
Gibraltar’s chief minister, Fabian Picardo, has also rejected the possibility of uniformed Spanish officers inside the territory. In other areas, meanwhile, agreement has already been reached. For example, a special fund is going to be created by Spain and the UK so that Spaniards who have worked in Gibraltar but live in Spain will receive the same pension as those who reside in the British Overseas Territory.
STAR: Greta Scacchi