By Jaime Ortega.
British Prime Minister David Cameron has telephoned the prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, to express his “deep concern” over the incidents that are happening in recent days in relation to Gibraltar.
“I have made clear my concerns about Gibraltar and that our position on (British) sovereignty would not change,” Cameron said in his Twitter account shortly after the phone call that transcend British Prime Minister described as “constructive”.
For his part, Mariano Rajoy has moved to the British Prime Minister that relations between the two countries and conflicts be settled by “honesty” and has stated that unilateral actions on Gibraltar to be “unacceptable”.
In the conversation, which lasted ten minutes, Rajoy has argued that “the unilateral act of installing cement blocks in the Bay of Algeciras was unacceptable.”
The communication was requested 24 hours ago by the British and accepted by the Spanish to take place today at the scheduled time for the Prime Minister, as reported Moncloa.
Rajoy stressed that Spain and the United Kingdom are “partners, friends and allies,” so that “disputes arising between them would have to be managed with honesty and transparency in bilateral dialogue framed in compliance with international law , European and national.”
The Prime Minister reiterated Cameron, according to a statement from the Executive, their willingness to seek an early solution to the current situation caused by the Gibraltar authorities and has produced in Spain “deep unease and great concern. ”
Both leaders also agreed that the foreign ministers of Spain and Britain engage “immediately” to address differences in dialogue.
Also, Rajoy has explained to his British counterpart that controls developments at the gate, obey to fulfill its obligation to control to prevent illegal trafficking in the area.
The Prime Minister has reminded that the measures taken are suited “perfectly” the Schengen Borders Code, guided only by the principles of randomness, proportionality and non-discrimination.
However, according to Downing Street, in the telephone conversation, Rajoy promised to reduce border controls that have caused tension in recent days, after the launch of the sea Gibraltarians 70 concrete blocks that hinder the work of Spanish fishermen .
“The prime minister made clear that our position on the sovereignty of Gibraltar and its surrounding waters will not change. Also reiterated, as the prime minister and Rajoy were prior agreement that the matter should not damage our bilateral relations,” said a spokeswoman for Downing Street.
“However, there is a real risk that this will happen unless the border situation improves. Rajoy agreed he did not want the matter to be transformed into an obstacle in bilateral relations and the need to find ways to defuse the issue, “the spokesman added.
According to the British source, the next step should be a conversation between the British Foreign Minister, William Hague, with his Spanish counterpart, José Manuel García-Margallo.
The president of the Spanish Government “is committed to reducing border measures. The two leaders agreed that there should be a solution to the dispute over fishing,” said the British spokesman.
