Liberal Democrat Leader Graham Watson demands a better deal for Gibraltar
12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 13th Jun 2006
Speaking to Spanish Vice-Prime Minister María Teresa Fernández de la Vega in Strasbourg today, European Liberal Democrat Leader Graham Watson (who also represents Gibraltar's citizens as part of his European Parliament mandate) voiced concerns about the impact of the constitutional stand off between the UK and Spain on Gibraltar's growth and development.
"Gibraltar's citizens are continuously discriminated against in the EU because of this sticky situation. We are making progress but still encounter difficulties every time we try to apply a single market measure" said Graham Watson.
On the subject of the much awaited allocation of EU Structural Funds to boost investment and modernisation in Europe's poorer regions, Graham Watson pointed out that although the prosperity gap between Europe's regions is narrowing, there are still worrying economic and social disparities in Europe.
"The regional financial allocations for 2007 - 2013 will be announced before the summer break. However, the clock is ticking and precious preparation time for major post-2006 projects is being lost. For the first year of the next financial perspective, the European Commission estimates that 56 % of the Structural and Cohesion Funds will be allocated for the EU-15. West European regions should capitalise on this opportunity to strengthen their employment and competitiveness by using EU funds" said ALDE's Leader Graham Watson.
During his meeting with Vice-Prime Minister De la Vega he also voiced his support in particular for the Spanish government's approach to achieving peace in the Basque country.
Bookmark this story at:
 del.icio.us
 Digg
 Facebook
 reddit
 StumbleUpon
Print this news story.
Previous news story: Liberal Democrat Group Leader Graham Watson calls for closure of Guantanamo Bay (Mon 12th Jun 2006).
Next news story: EU summit : "Europe will be built with the support of the citizens or not at all" (Wed 14th Jun 2006).
Related News Stories:
Wed 8th Oct 2008:
Consumer protection revolution starts today says Graham Watson MEP.
Wed 17th Sep 2008:
The Liberal Democrats' Europe Paper is a necessary refurbishment of pro European values says Graham Watson MEP.
Graham Watson - Lib Dem conference shows we are addressing the real issues .
Mon 28th Jul 2008:
Graham Watson mourns the death of political mentor and friend Russell Johnston .
Tue 15th Jul 2008:
Graham Watson mourns the death of a friend and a great European.
Wed 11th Jun 2008:
Graham Watson - UKIP claims far from the Truth.
Sat 7th Jun 2008:
Graham Watson calls for "fair-play for the Gibraltar FA".
Wed 23rd Apr 2008:
MEP Graham Watson - EU must act to stop porpoise and dolphin deaths.
Fri 11th Apr 2008:
Graham Watson MEP joins Liberals in Estonia ahead of Euro Election Campaign.
Wed 9th Apr 2008:
Local MEP Graham Watson to meet President Sarkozy.
Tue 11th Mar 2008:
Graham Watson calls for reappraisal of EU policy in the Middle East.
Mon 12th Nov 2007:
Graham Watson MEP again tops the poll.
Wed 17th Oct 2007:
Local MP Murrison is telling porkies, claims Graham Watson MEP.
Tue 28th Aug 2007:
Government decision on Palestinian football team will isolate feelings towards Britain says Graham Watson MEP.
Fri 13th Apr 2007:
Liberal and Democrat group leader in European Parliament demands immediate release of MEP .
Wed 21st Mar 2007:
'Budget a bad deal for environment' - Watson.
Thu 15th Mar 2007:
Greening the Parliament. Liberal Democrat group leader demands that EP reform agenda reduce carbon footprint .
Mon 5th Mar 2007:
Graham Watson congratulates Estonian colleagues on election victory .
Thu 15th Feb 2007:
Graham Watson MEP calls on UK Government to back open decision making in Europe.
Mon 12th Feb 2007:
Spain and Britain see sense over Gibraltar reference - Watson.
'Diamonds are a girl's best friend - don't let them be man's worst enemy' urges Graham Watson MEP.
Fri 9th Feb 2007:
'Is the EU a partner for peace for Palestine?' - Graham Watson MEP.
Fri 26th Jan 2007:
Time to 'scrap the wrap' says Graham Watson MEP.
Tue 16th Jan 2007:
Liberal Democrat group leader congratulates new EP President but calls for a reform agenda .
Tue 9th Jan 2007:
Gibraltar deserves to have its own football team urges Graham Watson MEP .
Fri 8th Dec 2006:
'Second time lucky for Gibraltar FA' - Graham Watson MEP .
Mon 13th Nov 2006:
Cocklemoor Bridge success is Langport's success says Graham Watson MEP .
Thu 19th Oct 2006:
European Liberal Democrat Leader tells Putin what everyone else is thinking .
Thu 5th Oct 2006:
Scurrilous Spanish Tactics to blame over UEFA Gibraltar Decision - Watson.
Wed 4th Oct 2006:
UEFA verdict set to pave the way for the Gibraltar National team - Watson.
Fri 22nd Sep 2006:
Graham Watson MEP praises 'The Spirit of Teignmouth'.
Tue 19th Sep 2006:
Watson welcomes Gibraltar agreement but remains cautious on key issues.
Sun 17th Sep 2006:
Graham Watson MEP warns party it must 'raise its game'.
Thu 20th Jul 2006:
Graham Watson: "EU shows its impotence in stemming violence in the Middle East" .
Thu 13th Jul 2006:
Graham Watson comments on Tory Party indecision on EPP membership.
Graham Watson: "No extra charges for receiving phone calls abroad".
Mon 12th Jun 2006:
Liberal Democrat Group Leader Graham Watson calls for closure of Guantanamo Bay .
Tue 16th May 2006:
Graham Watson: A disappointing decision for Lithuania's efforts to join eurozone .
Tue 2nd May 2006:
Liberal Democrat group leader backs full rights for ALL EU citizens .
Wed 19th Apr 2006:
"Chirac must raise case of Ayman Nour to President Mubarak", says Graham Watson .
Wed 22nd Mar 2006:
'Budget a bad deal for environment' - Watson.
Tue 31st Jan 2006:
"National parliaments are the guarantors to the success of the Lisbon process", says Graham Watson.
Wed 25th Jan 2006:
Graham Watson launches compendium of Liberal Democrat thinking on Globalisation.
Tue 20th Dec 2005:
Bronislaw Geremek, President of the Jean Monnet Foundation: "ALDE is proud" says Graham Watson.
Tue 13th Dec 2005:
Liberal Democrat Group Leader in EP congratulates his predecessor.
Tue 20th Sep 2005:
Graham Watson MEP's speech to Lib Dem Conference.
Mon 18th Jul 2005:
"Even when the tide turned foul, Edward Heath persisted in sailing a steady course", says Graham Watson MEP.
Tue 12th Jul 2005:
Romania must back Tariceanu on reform: says Graham Watson MEP.
Fri 10th Jun 2005:
European Liberal Democrat Leader Challenges Tony Blair to Democratise the EU.
Fri 3rd Jun 2005:
Graham Watson proposes a "Super Poll" for EU-wide referendum after a pause for reflection.
Mon 25th Apr 2005:
"Welcome to the people of Bulgaria and Romania", says ALDE leader Graham Watson.
Fri 15th Apr 2005:
"Recent riots in Chinese province will test regime's human rights credentials" says Graham Watson.
Wed 13th Apr 2005:
"The unscrupulous attempt to postpone the vote on Romania and Bulgaria failed", says Graham Watson.
Wed 2nd Mar 2005:
'The "London meeting" on Palestine can deliver real benefits', says Graham Watson.
Thu 17th Feb 2005:
Fair deal for South West and Gibraltar flyers.
Mon 10th Jan 2005:
"Hope is reborn in Palestine and Israel" expressed Graham Watson with satisfaction.
Thu 9th Dec 2004:
Graham Watson MEP to visit The Mead Community Primary School, Hilperton, Wiltshire.
Mon 22nd Nov 2004:
The Barrot affair: Statement by ALDE group leader Graham Watson MEP.
Thu 28th Oct 2004:
Graham Watson MEP celebrates the life of liberal father, John Locke.
Tue 14th Sep 2004:
Lib Dem MEP Graham Watson: 'Gibraltarians are Europeans too'.
Thu 2nd Sep 2004:
'Pair-trawl ban rejection disgraceful', says MEP Graham Watson.
Related Press Articles:
Wed 6th Sep 2006:
Scotland Must Act as a Magnet for Migration or Miss Out says Bute born Graham Watson, MEP .
Related Speeches:
Thu 29th Mar 2007:
Plenary Speech by Graham Watson - 29th March 2007.
Wed 11th Oct 2006:
Speech by Graham Watson MEP at the October I plenary session on the informal EU summit of Lahti, EU-Russian relations and the assassination of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaïa.
Tue 16th May 2006:
Graham Watson MEP answering the Commission statement on Bulgaria and Romania.
Fri 23rd Sep 2005:
'A Liberal view of Europe's model' - Graham Watson speech to ELDR Party Congress, Bratislava, 23rd September 2005.
Fri 4th Feb 2005:
Speech by Graham Watson MEP to the Congress of PNL, the National Liberal Party of Romania .
Wed 10th Nov 2004:
Speech by ALDE Group Leader Graham Watson MEP to the CALD Parliamentary Conference .
Printed and hosted by Prater Raines Ltd, 82b Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BX.
Published and promoted by Graham Watson MEP, Bagehot's Foundry, Beards Yard, Langport, Somerset TA10 9PS.
The views expressed are those of the party, not of the service provider.
|
