MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Spain says dialogue and 20.000 opinions needed to solve Gibraltar dispute

Moratinos, Miliband and Caruana pose for the 300 year delayed picture

Dialogue, cooperation and negotiation are the three basic words and formulae to solve the problem of Gibraltar, said Spanish Foreign Affairs minister Miguel Angel Moratinos following his historic visit to the Rock where he met with Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Peter Caruana.

However he did emphasize that this new pragmatic address does not mean dropping the Spanish sovereignty claim over Gibraltar. The dispute with Britain dates back to the XVIII century Utrecht Treaty.

“I don’t think previous formulae from the past have given results, therefore in the XXI century we must look for other ways of making foreign policy and above all with results and supported by public opinion”, said Moratinos.

“Dialogue, cooperation and negotiation are the three words and three formulae that can solve the problem of Gibraltar”.

This was the first visit of a Spanish minister in over 300 years to Gibraltar. At the meeting practical measures on common issues were agreed to help improve relations. Practical issues included environment, fiscal policies, judicial, customs and police cooperation, education, visas and a hot line between Gibraltar and Algeciras for maritime control.

Moratinos said that the population of Gibraltar rejects any role for Spain in their affairs, but the blockade policy from the time of General Francisco Franco hadn’t helped to advance with the dispute.

“We claim the territory…but there are also over 20.000 people who also have to accept and approve any agreement we might subscribe between the United Kingdom and Spain”, said Moratinos who has been under furious attacks from the Spanish opposition conservative Popular Party.

The opposition leader described Moratinos attitude as a “terrible mistake” which sets a “most dangerous record” since it gives the impression that Spain recognizes British sovereignty over the Rock.

However Moratinos asked for “common sense patience” and called for trust in the Gibraltar policies of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.

“We must create the conditions that allow us to return to negotiations with the United Kingdom and generate the framework for Gibraltar to return to our territory”, he added.

The visit has been the culmination of a long show approach process between Spain and the local elected authorities of Gibraltar which began in 2004 when the Socialist party came to power in Madrid.

In 2002, then Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and Foreign Affairs minister Joseph Piqué almost reached a co-sovereignty understanding on Gibraltar which finally fell through following a strong campaign by the people of the Rock.

“Sharing sovereignty was a risky deal, I’d say, because what we are doing or defending is the recovery of full sovereignty in Gibraltar” pointed out Moratinos in response to the opposition’s attack.

At the tripartite meeting several practical issues were agreed by Moratinos, Miliband and Caruana. But Moratinos admitted no date was scheduled for talks on sovereignty.

“Spain’s claim is permanent and non renounceable and known by all sides. When conditions are appropriate, the moment we consider most beneficial to advance seriously in solving the problem, we will address it”, said Moratinos.

Foreign Secretary Miliband stated the traditional UK self-determination policy saying that the “sovereignty issue in the hands of the people of Gibraltar”.

Moratinos also revealed that last July 8th he met with speakers from all Spanish political parties in Congress and “there was no rejection or opinion contrary to the (Gibraltar) visit, on the contrary. It’s the opposition that must explain their change of opinion”.