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Oct 23 - Government Clarifies El Pais 'Ad Hoc Talks' Claim

govtHaving made note of the article published in today's edition of the Spanish newspaper El Pais entitled "Madrid, Londres y Gibraltar ultiman un nuevo foro de dialogo en Bruselas."

The position of the Government of Gibraltar on ad hoc talks has been reiterated by No.6. The administration has insisted that not only does it remain committed to the Trilateral Forum for Dialogue as the framework for discussions with Spain on matters of local cooperation but the UK’s position on the matter has also remained unchanged, with strong commitment for the Trilateral Forum also held.

The article suggested that future meetings in Brussels would see the inclusion of the Junta de Andalucia and the Mancomunidad de Municipios.

The Government has claimed this afternoon that the article is wrong to suggest ‘any change in the position of either the Gibraltar Government or the Government of the United Kingdom on the Trilateral Forum for Dialogue.’

In a statement, the Government of Gibraltar went on to once again ‘express its willingness to participate in ad hoc talks, on the basis agreed with Madrid that the talks are without prejudice to our position on the proper format for dialogue. Any ad hoc talks will therefore not be a substitute for the Trilateral Forum for Dialogue.’

The Government is further willing to attend ad hoc talks ‘in its own right, with its own head of delegation, reflecting the fact that Gibraltar has constitutional competence for everything except defence, foreign affairs and internal security.’

They are also prepared to ‘share views on environmental best practice with Spain, to share views on environmental best practice with Spain, in particular given the very clear findings in Gibraltar's favour in respect of each of the areas of complaint (bunkering, reclamation and creation of reef) which Spain put to the EU Commission and the Commission has dismissed. The delays at the border generated by the disproportionate controls exercised by the Spanish authorities would also be on the agenda.’

The Government has agreed that such talks would be best held in Brussels.