MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

New Gibraltar governor ratifies UK support for self determination and defence

Sir Adrian Johns leaves the Gibraltar Parliament holding the symbolic keys to the fortress and City of Gibraltar. (Photo Gib.Chronicle)

The new and modern Constitution “reaffirms the right of the people of Gibraltar to self-determination and the British Government’s commitment to uphold that right” said Sir Adrian Johns this week on the Swearing in Ceremony as Gibraltar’s 64th governor.

“The Constitution enshrines absolutely the historic and fundamental right of British sovereignty and the United Kingdom will continue to defend that sovereignty and, as importantly, British Gibraltar Territorial Waters whenever they are challenged”, added Sir Adrian.

Sir Adrian said that Gibraltar occupies a special position in the world, not only because of its unique geographical location at the crossroads of two great continents, but also as a highly successful centre for business, commerce and finance with its special position within the European Union.

“This is underpinned now, of course, by a new and modern Constitution, which has empowered you, the Government of Gibraltar, to establish the structures and mechanisms necessary to thrive in this modern world as well as reaffirming the right of the people of Gibraltar to self-determination and the British Government’s commitment to uphold that right”.

The Governor said that alongside all of this and key to the future is continued progress in the Tri-Partite Forum (UK, Spain and Gibraltar), started in Cordoba in 2006 and moved forward another significant step here in Gibraltar earlier this year. “Work has started on the process for taking forward the priority outcomes of that Ministerial Meeting and the challenge is now for all parties to follow through on implementation”.

Finally he underlined the strength of the relationship between Gibraltar and the Royal Navy, “which remains rock solid today, and though, with a UK Strategic Defence Review in the offing, there may be challenges and uncertainties ahead, what is beyond doubt is that Gibraltar continues to be of real importance to Britain’s Armed Forces”.

In his welcome speech Gibraltar Chief Minister Peter Caruana called on the UK to protect Gibraltar’s British Territorial Waters by taking legal action that it previously failed to take.

“It is vital that the United Kingdom discharges its duty and obligation to uphold the British Sovereignty of Gibraltar’s territorial waters. The EU Commission is about to issue a new decision about European Sites of Community Importance, again including one designated by Spain in our waters.”

“This now gives the UK the opportunity to challenge the decision in the European Courts. Having missed the opportunity to do so last time, it is vital that the UK does so on this occasion. This will protect us all from the possibility, however remote, that Gibraltar’s existing legal action may be disallowed on procedural grounds of lack of legal standing to bring the action”.

In reference to Spain Caruana anticipated intense negotiations to reach good agreements on the six issues that form the agenda in the second round of the Trilateral Forum. “We will continue to seek the greatest possible degree of normality and co-operation in our relations with Spain, on the basis of mutual respect,” said Mr Caruana.