MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

PM Cameron ratifies support of Gibraltar and the interests of its people

Chief Minister Picardo receives the support at 10 Downing Street

Britain will always stand up for Gibraltar and the interests of its people, David Cameron said on Thursday. The prime minister said it was something that mattered to us “very deeply”, as he held a meeting to discuss the border dispute with Spain.

After talks at Downing Street, the British Territory's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said Gibraltar knew it had “a friend in David Cameron”.

A Number 10 spokesman said Mr Cameron's meeting reaffirmed the “strong and historic bonds” between the UK and Gibraltar.

“They discussed the unacceptable delays at the Spanish/Gibraltar border and agreed that these are damaging to the people and economies of Gibraltar and Spain,” he said,

“They agreed that efforts should remain concentrated on finding a diplomatic solution.”

Chief Minister Picardo met Foreign Secretary William Hague on Wednesday and the message from the session was support for Gibraltar and joint commitment to ‘ad hoc’ talks with Spain but also tripartite dialogue. The Gibraltar leader later met with Europe Minister David Lidington and discussed in further detail a range of issues of “mutual interest and concern”.

The Foreign Office restated that the meetings are “reaffirming the strong bonds between the UK and Gibraltar and the UK’s commitment to stand by the people of Gibraltar”.

In recent weeks, Spanish authorities have increased checks at the Gibraltar border, leading to lengthy delays. It came after Gibraltar dropped 74 concrete blocks into the sea next to its territory.

Gibraltar claimed it would create an artificial reef and encourage sea life to flourish, but the Spanish said the blocks would disrupt waters used by its fishing boats.
In recent days, there have been claims of violence against Spanish police and Guardia Civil officers on the borders, as vehicles were delayed for several hours.

The Royal Gibraltar Police are investigating claims that “a small number of missiles” were thrown at Guardia Civil officers carrying out checks on border traffic on Wednesday.

Earlier, Spanish police unions held a protest at the border, claiming a Guardia Civil officer was injured when he was dragged along by a Gibraltar-registered car that had refused to stop. Protesters said the act was “cowardly and perverse”.