Sep 29 - UK Foreign Secretary Commits to 'Keeping Up Pressure on Spain'
A meeting was held between Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and UK Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, in advance of the traditional Gibraltar Reception held during the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham. The men discussed a number of ‘topical Gibraltar issues of mutual interest’.
Speaking at the reception, Mr. Hammond explained that ‘relations between Britain and Gibraltar have never been closer’. He went on to add, ‘I think it’s fair to say that relations between the British Government and the Government of Gibraltar have seldom been better.
‘Last year was the three hundredth anniversary of the Treaty of Utrecht – of Gibraltar being officially British. And now we are looking forward to another three hundred years of British Gibraltar.
‘I want to pay particular tribute to Gibraltar’s extraordinary economic success. Gibraltar has transformed itself from a military garrison to a dynamic commercial society. I know that the border makes it difficult for business. But even so, the economy of Gibraltar as a whole continues to thrive. From financial services to bunkering, there’s a big sign hanging on the Rock that says ‘Gibraltar is open for business.’ We are working hard with the Government of Gibraltar to make sure that message is heard loud and clear across the world.
‘I want to see a Gibraltar with an even more vibrant and diversified economy that is fully equipped to compete in the 21st Century.’
Mr Picardo insisted that he believed the Foreign Secretary will be ‘very much “pro Gibraltar”’. Commenting on matters at the Frontier, which is currently undergoing works to the Spanish side, Mr. Hammond noted that it had been almost a year since Spain began their harsh regime of checks.
He went on to say, ‘the fact is that Gibraltar, like Spain, is part of the EU and Gibraltarians have the same rights as anyone else in an EU country to move and travel. We’ve been making this point to the European Commission up to the highest level. We got the Commission to send a monitoring mission to the border last year. They saw what was going on and found that Spain’s border checks were ‘unjustified’. They made specific recommendations on what both Spain and Gibraltar should do. I congratulate you, Chief Minister, and the Government of Gibraltar for taking decisive steps to deal with the Commission’s recommendations to Gibraltar, including legislation on tobacco.
‘The Commission is now following up on Spain’s obligations. They’ve said that ‘delays of several hours to cross the border are disproportionate’ and expressed ‘serious concern’ over Spanish failure to implement its recommendations after the second visit. This could be, if Spain fails to act, the first step to legal action.
‘Spain at last started works to improve the border crossing last week and we’ll follow progress on that very closely so that it doesn’t turn into an excuse for further delays. And you have my commitment that we’ll keep up the pressure on Spain and continue making clear to the Commission the importance of the issue to the British Government.
‘This is a Government and this is a Party that cherishes Gibraltar and will work with the Government of Gibraltar. A Government that stands up for Gibraltar. We're proud to be British - and we're proud that Gibraltar is British.’
During his visit to the Conservative Conference this weekend, Mr. Picardo also met with Defence Secretary Michael Fallon do discuss matters relating to the future of MoD operations in Gibraltar.
Commenting on the meeting, the Chief Minister noted that he has no doubt the new Defence Secretary will be a staunch friend of Gibraltar ‘and will fully understand the value of Gibraltar to the United Kingdom, in particular in these turbulent times around the shores of the Mediterranean. I also took the opportunity to reaffirm Gibraltar's commitment to the defence establishment of the United Kingdom.’
