In UN speech, Sanchez reaffirms Spain’s commitment to Gib treaty

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez used a speech at the United Nations’ General Assembly to again underline Spain’s hope for a UK/EU treaty on Gibraltar “as soon as possible”, while underscoring too his government’s traditional position on sovereignty before the UN.

Speaking in New York, Mr Sanchez focused his speech on global challenges including the conflict in the Middle East and emerging threats, the impact of disruptive technology, the need for a “profound reform” of international financial systems to promote sustainable development and tackle climate change, and the danger of “reactionary” politics to democracies around the world.

Against a backdrop of global turmoil, Mr Sanchez singled out the European Union as “an example of hope”.

“No one could have imagined the European geopolitical landscape could have changed so radically in just a few decades,” he said.

“That is why Spain, as a member of the European Union, is committed to an agenda for peace.”

As he does in every General Assembly address, Mr Sanchez dedicated a few paragraphs to Gibraltar during the wide-ranging speech, expressing commitment to the treaty negotiation while restating Spain’s standard position on sovereignty, using the same language as last year.

In reflecting on the EU as a force for good, Mr Sanchez highlighted the “bilateral agreement” reached on New Year’s Eve in 2020 between the UK and Spain – an agreement negotiated with Gibraltar too – which serves as the foundation for ongoing negotiations for a UK/EU treaty on the Rock’s post-Brexit relations with the bloc.

He said Gibraltar was “very important to Spain” in the context of the UK’s departure from the EU.

“We continue to work intensely since then, now with a new UK Government, so that this agreement lays the foundation of a future relationship for this territory with the European Union, confident that an agreement on Gibraltar can be reached as soon as possible between the European Union and the United Kingdom,” he said.

“In Spain’s view, this agreement must fully respect United Nations doctrine on said territory, with which Spain logically is fully aligned.”

“And it must also respect my country’s legal position on the sovereignty and jurisdiction in the relation to the same.”

“We wish to work for the development of a prosperous, social and economic area that encompasses Gibraltar and the Campo de Gibraltar.”

Mr Sanchez's comments on the Gibraltar treaty were highlighted in a lengthy press statement issued by his office, La Moncloa, outlining the substance of his speech at the UN.

But the statement focused only on Spain's hopes to reach agreement on a treaty, not on Mr Sanchez's reference to UN doctrine and Spain's position on sovereignty.

The Spanish Prime Minister’s speech came a week after a high-level political meeting in Brussels, after which all sides in the negotiation – the UK, the European Commission, Spain and Gibraltar - signalled “further progress” toward agreement, vowing to intensify their work in the coming weeks to finally secure a deal three years in the making.

The meeting brought together EU Commissioner and chief negotiator Maroš Šefčovič, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares, and Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, as well as their respective negotiating teams.

Mr Picardo was quizzed on the treaty talks in the Gibraltar Parliament on Thursday by Keith Azopardi, the Leader of the Opposition.

Mr Picardo referred Mr Azopardi to the statement after the Brussels meeting and said “it is important that we respect the confidentiality of the negotiating process”, a position that all sides have maintained throughout.

He revealed that since that meeting, technical negotiations have continued “as we further intensify the negotiations”.

Mr Azopardi asked whether the forthcoming entry into operation of the EU’s automated immigration system in November had an impact on the timelines of the discussions.

Mr Picardo said he would not be pinned to a deadline, adding to do so would be to create “a cliff edge” that would not be in the interests of any party.

But he added too that “it is not impossible that there might be other such high level meetings in coming weeks or months”.

He was asked too about the controversial issue of “boots on the ground”, a reference to what role Spanish police officers would play in implementing Schengen checks should a deal be agreed.

“Is it still the government's position that it is a red line that there should be no Spanish officers in Gibraltar after a treaty, whether uniformed or not?” Mr Azopardi asked.

“I think we've set out our position in this respect ad nauseam,” the Chief Minister replied.

“The jurisdiction of Gibraltar is a matter for the law enforcement agencies of Gibraltar.”

“At the same time, we've also been very clear and unequivocal in saying that we always accepted, as we couldn't accept otherwise, that responsibility for the application of the rules and regulations of the Schengen aquis is not a matter for the Government of Gibraltar, [or] the Government of the United Kingdom.”

“It's a matter for the responsible Schengen authorities.”

“Now, in that context, we're very clear that on Gibraltar, there only needs to be Gibraltar law enforcement agents, British law enforcement agents, enforcing Gibraltar's laws including our immigration laws, and giving assurance to third parties in the context of what happens in and around Gibraltar.”

Mr Azopardi asked too whether there was any assurance that interim measures applied by Spain allowing Gibraltar red ID card holders to cross into Spain without having their passports stamped would continue pending conclusion of the negotiation.

Mr Picardo said that the arrangement had worked well to date – he acknowledged the issues faced by blue ID card holders, who have faced additional controls since the UK stopped recognising EU ID cards – but would not be drawn on what lay ahead.

“What we have to do is finish the negotiation, finish it safely, securely and beneficially in the judgement of the Government of Gibraltar…[because] that will clear the way for fluidity of movement for all colour of civilian registration card holders and Gibraltar red ID card holders.”