MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Gibraltar celebrates National Day and self determination

”Gibraltar (*) is now a modern, economically and socially prosperous community and we are politically advanced, mature and self assured. We no longer need to claim our right to self determination. We have it” said Gibraltar's Chief Minister Peter Caruana in his advance of the September 11 National Day message.

"All around the world National Day is the day that people commemorate, remember and celebrate their country, its achievements, hopes, values and aspirations, political and social, in unity and across party political divides. Modern Gibraltar is no exception. Gibraltar is now a modern, economically and socially prosperous community. We are politically advanced, mature and self assured. We no longer need to claim our right to self determination. We have it. Britain has recognised it in our new Constitution. We have exercised the right to bring about the modern relationship with Britain that we want. We can therefore celebrate it, rather than claim it. This is one of the important things we will be doing tomorrow at John Mackintosh Square when we recite the Gibraltar Day Declaration. Similarly, in the matter of Sovereignty, although under the Preamble we have always been safe from the making of Sovereignty arrangements against our wishes, we have now secured from Britain a further promise, namely, that she will not even take part in any process about the negotiation of sovereignty unless Gibraltar agrees. We therefore no longer have to be anxious about this absolutely vital issue for Gibraltar. We are in control of our affairs and our destiny. Of course we shall always be vigilant on the question of sovereignty, as we were in 2001 when we successfully fought off the joint sovereignty threat. With these political threats and challenges secure as never before, we are able as a community to gather together in a more normal and confident manner to celebrate our country and our community. We are no longer on the political defensive and this should be reflected in the way we celebrate our National Day. Not to do so simply keeps issues alive, "keeps the pot boiling", for the benefit of Gibraltar's political opponents and detractors. So tomorrow, in addition to celebrating our country and its people and our political rights – including our right to self determination, our Sovereignty and our nationhood, we celebrate, commemorate and declare other things that are also important about our country: the wonderful community that flourishes in Gibraltar; the sacrifices and efforts of our previous generations of Gibraltarians and others without which we would be nothing , have nothing and not enjoy the Gibraltar that we have today; we celebrate our culture, our history and our identity. We also commit to OUR responsibilities to future generations – our children, grandchildren and more distant descendants, by guarding our environment and working for THEIR social, economic and political prosperity. We commit as a community to a society based on social justice, human rights and democracy. We express solidarity with the vulnerable in our community and abroad. All of these things about Gibraltar, which are also important parts of what Gibraltar is, are worth celebrating too, in addition to (not instead of) our important political rights, views and issues. And we will do it, as only Gibraltar knows how – together, in community, with our families and with our friends. Together we show the world what Gibraltar is: our unity, our solidarity, our determination, our community, and our values. We celebrate our homeland and our determination to resolutely uphold our rights and aspirations as a people. These are the things that we shall be doing at 11 o'clock tomorrow morning when we gather at John Mackintosh Square – the historical gathering place of Gibraltarians. Enjoy the day with your family, with your friends and with your fellow citizens". (*) British Overseas Territory claimed by Spain.