§ Sir Dudley Smithasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he plans to take to safeguard the interests of Gibraltar when Spain achieves membership of the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RifkindWe have remained closely in touch with the Government of Gibraltar throughout the negotiations on Spanish accession to the European communities, and take full account of Gibraltar's interests. Specifically: 319W
- (a) the Community has sought from Spain, in the relevant chapters of the negotiations, undertakings on the removal of those measures which conflict with the obligations of Community membership;
- (b) in this context, Spain and the Community have agreed that application of Community obligations in respect of external trade means, from accession, the elimination of all obstacles to trade between Spain and Gibraltar except as permitted by exceptions and derogations in accordance with Community law;
- (c) the Community is insisting on a seven-year transitional period before the free movement of workers is implemented between Spain and the rest of the Community — a point of particular importance to Gibraltar;
- (d) the Community has also made it clear that there will need to be a joint declaration on the free movement of labour annexed to Spain's accession treaty, as in past enlargements, providing for appropriate decisions to be taken in the event of difficulties arising after the end of the transitional period.
We have also taken up in the Community a number of other points of concern to Gibraltar, at the request of the Gibraltar Government.