Oct 05 - UK Reaffirms “Double Lock” Guarantee At UN – Ambassador Quashes Joint Sovereignty Proposal
The UK quickly blocked Spain’s offer of joint sovereignty at the United Nations yesterday by repeating, once again, its “double lock” guarantee not to enter into any such sovereignty arrangements and not to commence talks without the Rock’s consent.
The UK’s representative, ambassador Peter Wilson, exercised the right of reply towards the end of yesterday's session after the Spanish ambassador had painted a rosy picture of all the potential benefits that Gibraltar could reap from such a deal in a post-Brexit world.
Here’s his reply:
“The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland recalls its sovereignty over Gibraltar and the territorial waters surrounding it and reaffirms that, as a separate territory recognised by the United Nations and included since 1946 in its list of non-self governing territories, it enjoys the rights accorded to it under the UN Charter. The United Kingdom also recalls that the people of Gibraltar enjoy the right of self-determination. The 2006 Gibraltar Constitution – which was endorsed in referendum by the people of Gibraltar - provides for a modern and mature relationship between Gibraltar and the UK.
“The Government of the United Kingdom restates its longstanding commitment to the people of Gibraltar that it will not enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another State against their freely and democratically expressed wishes. The United Kingdom also confirms that it will not enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content.
“The United Kingdom reaffirms its commitment to safeguard Gibraltar, its people and its economy.
“Her Majesty’s Governments of the United Kingdom and Gibraltar remain firmly committed to the Trilateral Forum for Dialogue as the most credible, constructive and practical means of strengthening UK-Gibraltar-Spain relations for the benefit of all parties. The United Kingdom regrets the fact that the government of Spain withdrew formally from those talks in 2012.
“Under the 2006 constitution, Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar has competence for all policy areas except for External Relations, Defence and Internal Security, which are reserved by Her Majesty’s Government of the United Kingdom. Gibraltar’s active participation, in its own right, in any dialogue process is therefore non-negotiable.
“Gibraltar is a territory to which the European Union treaties largely apply. The UK Government has therefore committed to fully involving Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar as we prepare for the process to exit the European Union. Otherwise, the United Kingdom’s vote to leave the European Union does not change our unwavering commitment to respecting Gibraltar’s wishes on sovereignty. As I have already said, we will not enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another State against their freely and democratically expressed wishes. Nor will the United Kingdom enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content. As the Chief Minister of Gibraltar said earlier in this session, the United Kingdom and Gibraltar remain strongly committed to talks on a trilateral basis.”
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