Chief Minister Fabian Picardo has reassured that imminent elections will not interrupt Gibexit treaty negotiations between the UK/Gibraltar and the EU/Spain.
Elections to the European Parliament are due between 6th and 9th June. Now elections to the UK Parliament have been called for the 4th July.
SPAIN’S OPTIMISM
Pedro Sanchez, Spain’s Prime Minister, yesterday said in the Spanish Parliament that a comprehensive Gibexit agreement will be reached in the coming weeks.
He said, “… we are very close to achieving a historic milestone … that will bring more legal certainty, more economic opportunities, and more everyday conveniences to the inhabitants of the Campo de Gibraltar.”
It reflects statements already made to the press recently by Jose Manuel Albares the Spanish Foreign Minister, to the effect that a historic Gibexit treaty included dismantling the frontier fence and the use of the Gibraltar airport by Spanish and other European airlines.
The aim is to encourage the development of the Campo de Gibraltar for the benefit of its 300,000 inhabitants.
UK’S CAUTION
Snr Sanchez’s positive words come soon after Lord Cameron, the UK Foreign Secretary, told the European Scrutiny Committee of the UK House of Commons, that “We think that there’s been some good movement in the last few rounds of talks. But we’re very clear. If a deal isn’t right, we won’t sign it.” Thereby showing optimism.
At the same time, he is clear on red lines, “…Gibraltar as a sovereign UK territory, the base operating as it does now, vital for our defence, and a deal that the Government of Gibraltar are 100% happy with.”
HINTS
Lord Cameron did hint at arrangements like the presence of French immigration officials in St Pancras to clear travellers heading to the EU. He said, “I don’t think having that sort of arrangement in place, if it’s to the benefit of your country, is a diminution of your sovereignty.”
He also suggested that many questions centred around Gibraltar’s role as a forces base and the impact of a Gibexit treaty on defence matters. Perhaps a delaying factor to reaching final agreement.
WORK CONTINUES
For the present we know that the hard work to arrive at a Gibexit treaty continues incessantly daily. The work follows on from the high-level meeting last week attended by Lord Cameron, the UK Foreign Secretary, Jose Manuel Albares, Spain’s Foreign Minister, the Vice President of the EU, Maros Sefcovic, and Gibraltar Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo.
The Spanish State Secretary for the EU, Fernando Sampedro, whilst admitting that there are no deadlines, said that since the ministerial meeting last week, “… we have remained in contact at a technical level and continue to work intensely. As Minister Albares said, last week’s meeting served to build on significant progress achieved in the previous meeting and to continue narrowing positions.”
ANNOUNCEMENTS LIKELY DELAYED
However, the electoral calendar that has now developed in the UK will likely mean that no announcements or progress report about the Gibexit treaty are likely to be imminent, despite that there were indications of statements being made within weeks.
The dust will need to settle after the elections and before any hard and final decisions can or will be made, despite that agreement in the negotiation will be getting closer in the meantime.
Patience and understanding are called for, remembering always that the concessions, currently operating at the border, alleviate the potential ill effects of Brexit for a vast number of people in Gibraltar.
Llanito World 