MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
UK official admits how difficult is 'ad hoc' dialogue with Spain over Gibraltar
Dialogue is more difficult than we thought“, said ambassador Manley. It's not easy in an electoral year in the UK, Spain and Gibraltar, but ”we are trying” 
The government of Gibraltar ”hopes that the United Kingdom can remain a member of a reformed European Union.” Simon Manley, Britain’s Ambassador to Spain, admitted this week that officials had underestimated how difficult it would be to start an ‘ad hoc’ dialogue with Spain referred to Gibraltar. Mr. Manley was asked about progress towards ad hoc dialogue during a wide-ranging interview with the Spanish newspaper ABC.
“In common with Gibraltar, we have a commitment to the trilateral forum between Spain, the United Kingdom and Gibraltar, but we acknowledge the position of the current Spanish government and, for that reason, proposed to work under the format of ‘ad hoc’ conversations,” he said.
“Achieving that has proved more difficult than we thought and it is not easy to find a solution in an electoral year in the United Kingdom, in Spain and in Gibraltar, but we are going to try.”
Ambassador Manley was also asked how Gibraltar viewed the possibility of a British exit from the EU and what the implications this could have for the Rock.
“The Government of Gibraltar has the same position as us,” he said. “It hopes that the United Kingdom can remain a member of a reformed European Union.”
“And it is in everyone’s interest that Gibraltar is in the EU, for the freedom movement of people, goods and services between Gibraltar and Spain”, concluded Manley.
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Read all commentsSend in the navy,
Sep 24th, 2015 - 12:38 pm 0re-enforce the army and more RAF planes,
build a barrier between the two and sink any Spanish ships that enter,
or send British ships into Spanish waters on a regular basis,
do something talking just ain working.
The present Spanish 'government' (what a joke) will be even further bereft of money once the vote in Cataluña is made and they stick two fingers up to the rest of Spain.
Sep 24th, 2015 - 07:39 pm 0How can anybody expect one region to finance the whole country (more or less) and be happy with the prats in government, Gollum2 especially?
If Gib wants to remain in the EU that's their affair though how the so called ”freedom movement of people, goods and services between Gibraltar and Spain” is demonstrated escapes me.
@1. Haven't I said something like this before? And got accused of “war-mongering”. And yet it's okay for spain to continue warlike activities. So here's my new approach. The next Type 23 frigates to be decommissioned should be sent to Gibraltar. With their armaments intact. Rotational RN skeleton crews flown from the UK every three months. Along with the ammunition. A squadron of Apache attack helicopters. RAF Regiment for air defence and Royal Artillery for “defence” out to 3 miles. Challenger 2 and Warrior tanks. Royal Gibraltar Regiment. If necessary, arm the people so that spaniards getting too close can be shot.
Sep 24th, 2015 - 07:54 pm 0Just imagine the surprise for the Guardia Civil when they get within 100 yards and the machine guns open up!
For heaven's sake, Gibraltar, FIGHT!
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