The Diplomat
The Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo, assured yesterday that it will be in this first half of 2024, when European elections will also be held in June, the moment in which “finally” it will be determined “whether or not an agreement can be reached.” with the European Union on the relationship with the Rock.
“I believe that in the first half of 2024 the issue of Gibraltar’s future relationship with the EU will be resolved. So we have to be prepared to deal with any pressure that may arise as we work towards the end of this negotiation,” said the chief minister in his New Year’s speech, reported by Europa Press.
In the message, Picardo referred to the “adversities” that, in his opinion, the Rock has suffered, among which he cited Brexit. “He forced us to sit at a table we probably never wanted to be at. Brexit put Gibraltar on the line. And we have worked hard to confront the force of this adversity,” he said.
Thus, he recalled that Gibraltar would not be in treaty negotiations “if the United Kingdom had not voted in favor of leaving the EU.” “But to remember what might have been would be a waste of time. And it is pure fantasy for anyone in Gibraltar to suggest that these negotiations could have been successfully concluded sooner,” he said.
For this reason, he defended the work of his government in the negotiations, “in close collaboration with the United Kingdom”, to advance “this difficult and delicate negotiation towards a conclusion” that is “satisfactory.” “And, most importantly, we are the ones who make the decisions in all aspects of the negotiation related to Gibraltar, as established by our Constitution,” he stressed.
Picardo insisted that he will go “to the end” to reach an agreement that is “safe and guaranteed.” “I have deliberately avoided setting time limits on these negotiations that have consumed me for the last two years of my life. In order not to harm our negotiating position, I have not set what I consider useless limits on the time frame for reaching an agreement. And I will not set them either. today,” he explained.
Finally, the chief minister asked “to be prepared to face any pressure that may arise.” “Patience and stoic calm will be our only allies during this period,” he said, while stressing that “there will be no concession on the exclusively British sovereignty, jurisdiction or control of Gibraltar or any of its components.”
“I guarantee you that I will bring a treaty with guarantees for Gibraltar. Because if it is not safe and has no guarantees, I will not bring any agreement at all. I will not do it,” he promised.
