MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Hague and Garcia-Margallo committed to diplomatic solution to Spain/Gibraltar border dispute
The two foreign secretaries talked following instructions from Cameron and Rajoy British Foreign Secretary William Hague spoke on Wednesday to his Spanish peer Jose Garcia Margallo with the commitment of finding a diplomatic solution to the dispute at the Spain/Gibraltar border.
The exchange follows an earlier phone communication between Primer ministers David Cameron and Mariano Rajoy
“Our Prime Ministers agreed this morning on the need to de-escalate the current tensions”, said the Foreign Secretary in a brief release.
“I have now spoken to the Spanish Foreign Minister to reiterate that recent events at the Spain / Gibraltar border and continuing border delays are disproportionate.
“I urged the Spanish authorities to de-escalate the situation. (Gibraltar) Chief Minister Picardo has been consistent throughout in his commitment to introduce measures on sustainable fishing in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. These matters are within the constitutional competence of Gibraltar and show Gibraltar’s genuine willingness to resolve the fishing dispute.“
Finally “the Foreign Secretary and Spanish Foreign Minister agreed on the need for dialogue, in the context of the Foreign Secretary’s proposals from April last year to explore ad hoc dialogue involving the Government of Gibraltar”.
Earlier in the day Cameron and Rajoy agreed they did not want the Gibraltar issue to become an obstacle in the bilateral relations and pledged to find a way to de-escalate tension with the immediate step having both foreign ministers discuss a way forward.
PM Rajoy noted the relationship with UK as one between allies and partners and said that differences had to be dealt with ”honestly and transparently“. He committed himself to look for a solution to the current situation ”created by the Gibraltar authorities“ and which had created great ”discontent“ in Spain. He declared the ”unilateral“ dropping of the cement reef blocks as ”unacceptable”.
Top Comments
Disclaimer & comment rules-
-
-
Read all comments“He committed himself to look for a solution to the current situation ”created by the Gibraltar authorities“ and which had created great ”discontent“ in Spain. He declared the ”unilateral“ dropping of the cement reef blocks as ”unacceptable”. ”
Aug 07th, 2013 - 07:28 pm 0Well that's a shame then, isn't it? Because the current situation has actually been created by the greedy, grasping, lawless Spanish fishermen, the equally lawless and thuggish Guardia Civil and the incompetent, colonialist Spanish government.
Quoting from the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, what is it about “ceded in perpetuity” that Spain doesn't understand?
Looking at international law, what is it about no country have legally-recognised territorial waters until 1958, when all coastal territories got them, that Spain doesn't understand?
What is it about Spanish fishermen illegally poaching in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters that Spain doesn't understand?
What is it about creating an artificial reef with concrete blocks to protect the environment and, incidentally, the safety of aircraft using Gibraltar airport in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters that Spain doesn't understand?
Spain would be well advised not to try to take a leaf out of argieland's book of incompetencies. The book didn't do argieland any good!
I'm not sure but I think history shows that finding “solutions” to avoid any further aggressive behaviour, just leads to more aggressive behaviour.
Aug 07th, 2013 - 11:57 pm 0Is this what is meant by seasoned “statecraft” and “giving them more rope”.
I'll bet Rajoy's approval ratings go up a bit in days to come.
“When you do anything over there, you need to have our approval first. We'll do what we want over here, don't bother telling us anything”.
@1
Aug 07th, 2013 - 11:59 pm 0Actually it did. It's making sure there can never again be actual relations between the UK and Argentina. Trust me, we win big time there by you stay very far away from us.
Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!