MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Constructive relation with Spain enhance Gibraltar conditions

Caruana underlines benefits of the Tripartite Forum talks

Gibraltar's Chief Minister Peter Caruana declared that the British Overseas Territory's quality of life and socio-economic and political opportunities are enhanced when relations with Spain are the most constructive possible.

In a full length interview with the Gibraltar Chronicle, Mr Caruana expressed his profound disagreement with those who think that "it is good for Gibraltar to be at 'draggers-drawn' with Spain." "People know that when battles need to be fought for Gibraltar, I fight them, hard and to win. You fight battles that you need to. That is very different to being in a state of belligerence as a matter of condition" he declared. Mr Caruana said as the years pass by, there were "thankfully fewer and fewer" Gibraltarians for whom an absence of belligerence is "almost like having the security blanket ripped away from them." The Chief Minister declared that the Tripartite Forum (UK, Gibraltar, Spain) is due to renew its working sessions and although no dates have yet been set, there had been contacts in December where it was agreed to reactivate it in the New Year. "A Ministerial meeting of the Forum is due in July but there is a lot of work to be done before that, so I would expect more than one non-Ministerial round before then." Referring to the creation of the Forum in 2004, he said it was good for all parties – Gibraltar, Spain and Britain – that there is "this political dialogue architecture which injects as much normality into our relations and allows us to manage problems as they arise in a way less likely to cause damage to our ability to co-exist in this part of the world." The Chief Minister also stated that the Forum was one of the things about which he felt proudest and happiest in terms of achievements, highlighting the value of standing firm on our legitimate rights and interests, without allowing this "to cloud our vision and judgment about the importance of good relations with Spain." "We have already gone quite far but there is much further that we could go," he declared. As regards a definitive solution to the Gibraltar question, Mr Caruana said that while there is not any specific proposal in the agenda, "it is not something that the Gibraltar Government is shy of attempting." He said the Government would be happy to engage with other parties in the search for such a solution, on the clear basis that there has to be "respect for our political rights and wishes as a people." "I would very much hope that in whatever number of years is left to me politically, the opportunity comes my way to do precisely what your question suggests."