Spain to keep Gibraltar's border OPEN - but warn offer NEEDS to be accepted
SPAIN will keep Gibraltar’s borders open after Brexit but threatened if Westminster does not accept a Spanish offer it will be detrimental to its relationship with the EU, Spain’s foreign minister warned.
Alfonso Dastis admitted Spain would have preferred if the UK stayed in the EU but said the country wanted to work to “preserve unity while maintaining the best possible relations with the UK”.
Talking about the contentious issue of Gibraltar, the foreign minister said the European Council’s negotiating guidelines “will not be static” and will adapt as they progress, as he admitted the issue of the British Overseas Territory is a “unique case” as no other EU country has part of its territory in another.
Discussing whether London is willing to carry out bilateral negotiations on Gibraltar with Spain at the same time as Brexit is negotiated, Mr Dastis told ABC Espana: “It is the logical thing to do.
“When we entered the EU, we had to accept certain things and a bilateral agreement had to be signed with the United Kingdom at the same time as the Acts of Accession.
“And if in the future London wants Gibraltar to be part of its relationship with the EU, there will have to be a bilateral agreement between Spain and the United Kingdom.”
However, he signalled if Britain does not accept Spain’s offer of co-sovereignty it would be detrimental to the UK’s relationship with the EU.
He added: “We have made an offer of co-sovereignty that is very generous, but two cannot dance if one does not want to.
Fabian Picardo: Gibraltar will stand by Britain over Brexit
“And if the UK does not want to negotiate and the population of Gibraltar prefer to be outside the Union, that’s their problem.
“But if they want, in some way, to maintain a relationship with the EU, Spain will take care of its interests.”
He said Gibraltar will be a “third territory” with the border between Spain and Gibraltar being an “external border” like it is now because they are not in the Customs Union.
He added: “But we do not intend to take any drastic measures, such as closing the fence, mainly because of the relationship with Gibraltar.”
Mr Dastis was very clear cut Gibraltar will not take part in the negotiations and the UK will instead negotiate with the EU or Spain.