MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Mentor of Gibraltar agreement Spanish ambassador to Argentina

A Spanish Member of Parliament belonging to the ruling PSOE and who has been one of the principal movers behind the recent tripartite agreement on the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar has been appointed ambassador to Argentina, according to the Gibraltar press.

Rafael Estrella has been instrumental in advocating a policy of setting aside Spain's sovereignty claim and focusing on co-operation with Gibraltar. This approach helped to reach last month the Cordoba tripartite agreement involving Spain, UK and the local elected government of Gibraltar.

In statements to Gibraltar's Chronicle MP Estrella said it had been a great satisfaction to him to see the Gibraltar issue progress as it had in recent months. Even before the UK's ill-fated initiative for joint-sovereignty Estrella had been advocating a policy of focusing on co-operation with Gibraltar.

In January 1999, when the Spanish Socialist party was in the opposition he published an article in the Chronicle's "In My Opinion", entitled: "Rethinking Gibraltar and Spain: an opportunity for courage". The article was subsequently submitted to the UK House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee by Estrella.

In the article Estrella said that although he did not share the well known Gibraltar official position, it has his highest respect. He advocated an understanding to "put aside the sovereignty factor for a given period and an undertaking to explore areas of co-operation and mutual understanding".

"During such a period no party should try to take advantage of the other on sovereignty. Any unilateral decision aimed at ameliorating our relations might be reversed and no permanent changes in the status quo would be tried. British and Spanish adherence to such an undertaking would be the guarantee for both Gibraltarians and Spaniards" he highlighted.