§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement about his recent discussions with the Spanish Foreign Minister in respect of Gibraltar.
§ Mr. EggarMy right hon. and learned Friend met the Spanish Foreign Minister in London on 13 and 14 January. Their meeting was part of the process of co-operation and negotiation between Britain and Spain, started by the Brussels Agreement of 27 November 1984. My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State and the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Sir Joshua Hassan, were also present as members of the British delegation.
The Foreign Ministers reviewed progress in co-operation between Gibraltar and Spain. They agreed that it should continue to take place on a fair and balanced basis, consistent with their common Community obligations. They noted that contacts had developed satisfactorily in a number of fields including tourism, the environment, culture and sport, public health and education. They agreed that the creation of economic and cultural working groups was desirable subject to terms of reference being agreed. Officials were instructed to pursue this.
The two Ministers also discussed co-operation in the civil use of Gibraltar airport and instructed officials to resume their study of the matter.
As provided for in the Brussels agreement, there was a full discussion of sovereignty. Snr. Fernandez Ordonez underlined the importance of proposals put forward by Spain in February 1985. My right hon. and learned Friend reaffirmed our commitment to honour the wishes of the people of Gibraltar, as set out in the preamble of their 1969 Constitution. He stressed the importance of managing any differences between Britain and Spain in a spirit consistent with their links of traditional friendship and their common membership of the European Community and NATO.
The two Ministers agreed to meet again in Madrid in accordance with the pattern already established.