MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Rajoy says ‘foundation for dialogue’ on Gibraltar reached with PM Cameron
The Spanish leader met twice face to face with Cameron on the margins of the G20 summit Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy signalled on Friday that the ‘foundation for dialogue’ with the UK and Gibraltar had now been laid. Rajoy was speaking after two meetings with UK Prime Minister David Cameron on the margins of the G20 summit meeting in St Petersburg.
It also followed a statement on Thursday in which Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said Gibraltar had nothing to fear from the ‘ad hoc’ formula for talks.
“It’s evident that there are problems, but it’s also evident that we have to engage in dialogue and talk” PM Rajoy told reporters at a press conference in Russia, “We have established the foundation for dialogue which…I am absolutely convinced will end well for everyone”, he added.
For days now the three governments have been edging ever closer to a new framework for talks that could help defuse tensions while respecting each party’s red lines on issues such as sovereignty.
But the development came against the background of continued queues at the Spanish border, where motorists waited over two hours to enter Gibraltar yesterday morning and around three to leave the Rock by evening.
PM Rajoy revealed that he held two meetings with PM Cameron, the first late on Thursday after the G20 leaders’ dinner, the second on Friday morning.
The G-20 gathering marks the first time Rajoy and Cameron have met face-to-face since the current dispute arose, though they discussed the matter by telephone last month.
The Spanish Prime Minister said that it was evident that there was a problem and that each side had its own position. But he sent a clear signal that the tone of the exchanges with PM Cameron had been positive.
“The conversations have been useful and our personal connection is good,” Rajoy said. “We’ve agreed to carry on talking”.
The Spanish Prime Minister did not reveal details of what the ‘ad hoc’ will entail in practice, or when the first meetings might take place. Responding to questions, he told reporters that he had to remain “prudent” at this stage.
The ‘ad hoc’ was first proposed to Spain by Foreign Secretary William Hague in April last year and with Gibraltar’s agreement. In an address to the Spanish Congress this week, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel García-Margallo said Spain accepted the proposal “…without changing a single comma.”
That statement was welcomed by the Chief Minister Fabian Picardo during a ministerial speech broadcast by the Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation on Thursday evening.
Picardo said there was “no question” of sovereignty being discussed under the proposed ‘ad hoc’ talks. “I want to be crystal clear about this proposed dialogue,” he said. “There is no question of the sovereignty or future of Gibraltar being raised or discussed at these talks.”
Picardo said he had “worked closely” with Mr Hague to elaborate the ‘ad hoc’ formula, details of which have not been made public as yet.
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Read all commentsI see Rajoy is back pedalling furiously.
Sep 07th, 2013 - 06:55 pm 0So the preconditions his government set out (the removal of the blocks from Gibraltarian Territorial Waters) have disappeared.
Maybe he's finally woken up to the fact that both the UK and Gibraltarian governments are SERIOUS when they say they're going to take Spain to court.
The EU can easily stop all aid to Spain, and Rajoy and his government are hanging by a thread.
Now he needs to grow up and stop these silly 'searches' at the border before the EU FORCE him to stop them, fine him, and make him the laughing stock of Europe.
Surely it's better to save face now, and look magnanimous, than be forced to do it and look weak, inept and foolish.
this was predicted last week that he would try to U-turn with spain looking the victor before the EU sent observers in to investigate the border delays. if nothing else our Hispanic comrades (whichever lands they settle) are very predictable, stupid, and impulsive.
Sep 08th, 2013 - 04:48 am 0what did they gain? nothing but more distrust,suspicion and ridicule globally.
looking to book holidays next year I recommend Gibraltar,Portugal or Greece!
my sister just came back from spain with ring worm and the shits and how she heard a man with children coming back from a waterpark refused entry on a half empty bus and im sure it had nothing to do with the Union jack vest top he had on either.
Another Hispanic joke of a country!
Here's some real “foundations for dialogue”, Rajoy. Admit that Spain is a “failed” state. Admit that you are a corrupt criminal. Admit that Margallo is a fascist warmonger and sack/prosecute him. Admit that Gibraltar is British and Spain has NO claim. Admit that Gibraltar Territorial Waters belong to Gibraltar and Spain has NO claim. Destroy all Spanish poaching vessels for two hundred miles in each direction. Sack all Guardia Civil and National Police senior officers. Disarm both organisations. Drill holes in all state vessels so that the “crews” have to spend most of their time baling. Prosecute all Guardia Civil and National Police personnel. They are bound to have committed some offence. Remove all Guardia Civil and National Police personnel from the Gibraltar border. Make intrusion into Gibraltar Territorial Waters a criminal offence punishable by life imprisonment. Pay back all money loaned to you by Britain. Make everything in Spain FREE to Brits. Have a fleet of aircraft on hand to fly sick/injured Brits back to Britain. FREE. And back to Spain if they want. Resign and turn yourself in for your crimes.
Sep 08th, 2013 - 06:33 am 0Commenting for this story is now closed.
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