§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the Chief Minister of Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement. [18734]
§ Peter HainI last met the Chief Minister of Gibraltar in London on 28 November. As I said in my speech in Westminster Hall on 7 November 2000,Official Report, column 91WH, both I and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary have worked hard to enable the Gibraltar Government to join the meetings under the Brussels Process. At the ministerial meeting of the Brussels Process held in Barcelona on 20 November, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and the Spanish Foreign Minister reiterated their invitation for the Chief 212W Minister of Gibraltar to attend future Brussels Process ministerial meetings. As previously stated the Government will continue to stand by their commitments to the people of Gibraltar as set out in the preamble to the Gibraltar Constitution.
§ Miss KirkbrideTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role he played in arranging the meeting between Spanish officials and the First Minister of Gibraltar in Madrid; and if he will make a statement on these discussions. [20441]
§ Peter HainMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs played no direct role in arranging the meeting between Spanish officials and the Chief Minister of Gibraltar. However, building on the climate of confidence established by the re-launch of the Brussels Process, I encouraged both parties to talk and meet, which they did.