MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

“Discreet talks” between Gibraltar and London.

As the date for Gibraltar's constitutional reform talks with the British Government approaches, Chief Minister Peter Caruana declared that the Gibraltar delegation will be holding “discreet” talks with UK officials next week.

A Gibraltar Government spokesman said: "The Gibraltar delegation leaves for London at lunchtime on Monday 29th November 2004 for the start of formal talks with the British Government on Reform of the Gibraltar Constitution. The talks will be held in the Music Room at Lancaster House on Tuesday 30th November and Wednesday 1st December." "The negotiating position and objectives of the delegation are the proposals approved unanimously by the House of Assembly and already submitted to the British Government. At this stage the talks will be discreet between the two parties. A press communiqué on behalf of the Gibraltar delegation will be issued by the Gibraltar Government after the conclusion of the second day of the talks."

"Charm and patience"

Lord Howe struck "an unusually cheerful note" in the House of Lords' debate following the Queen's speech when he raised the topic of Gibraltar. The signatory to the 1984 Brussels Agreement welcomed recent initiatives in relations over the Rock. But he urged the parties not to rush. "It is most welcome to those of us who have been concerned for many years about the future of this territory to see the change of atmosphere that has taken place. We have seen the disappearance of the negativism that was the result I have to say, of the insensitivity of both the Spanish Government and our own Government at an earlier stage". In welcoming the positive attitude Lord Howe uttered the warning that "much patience and charm will be necessary over a long period to sustain and take advantage of that change." Lord Astor also welcomed rightly the more positive atmosphere relating to Gibraltar. And Baroness Hooper also registered her welcome for the improved atmosphere and approach of the new Spanish Government in relation to that matter.