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External and Constitutional Affairs

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• External and Constitutional Affairs

Ultimately, only Gibraltar itself, its people and its Government and Parliament will remain unwavering at all times in protection of Gibraltar’s political rights and the advancement of our economic and social interests. That is why our policy has been not just a robust defence of our external affairs, but also continued advances in genuine and full self government of Gibraltar by the people of Gibraltar through the government that they “hire and fire” and is accountable only to the people of Gibraltar.

Our external affairs policy thus has four inter related objectives: 

• • To protect Gibraltar from Spain’s unwanted and anachronistic claim to the sovereignty of our homeland;

• • To uphold and promote the right to self determination and other political rights and aspirations of the people of Gibraltar;

• • To increase our levels of self government while preserving close constitutional links with Britain and British Sovereignty; and

• • To consolidate and further enhance the good international reputation that Gibraltar has achieved under the GSD Government so that our economy, and thus our society can continue to prosper.

These four objectives, which have in large measure been achieved by the GSD and now need to be protected, give Gibraltar almost total control of its affairs and destiny in a modern, non-colonial, and thus dignified relationship with Britain. Only in this way can Gibraltar ensure that it exercises sufficient control over our economic fortunes as a community, and by our economic success enable us to defend and advance our political rights and aspirations as a people and ensure our ability to resist the unwanted policies and ambitions of others for our future.

Only by running our own affairs (especially, but not limited to our economy) in our own short, medium and long term interests can we be sure that Gibraltar will always be in a position of economic and social, and therefore political strength, able to assert and defend its rights and resist other agendas that Gibraltar does not want for our future.

At the same time, our policy has been, and will continue to be one of maximising the cooperation with and normalisation of relations with Spain.

The GSD’s achievements in relation to Gibraltar’s external affairs speak for themselves and are even acknowledged by fair minded political opponents.

These policy successes cover every area of external affairs, as follows:

• • Bringing about the end to Brussels Process meetings and bilateralism between UK and Spain about our affairs and future. Bilateralism is a violation of our right to self determination and of our political aspirations and dignity as a people.

• • Establishment of the open agenda Trilateral Forum of Dialogue in which Gibraltar is represented in its own right, has a veto and is not about transfer of our sovereignty.

• • Successful defence of Gibraltar against the infamous joint sovereignty initiative culminating in its abandonment following the GSD Government’s referendum organised in the face of aggressive opposition from the UK and Spanish Governments.

• • The new Constitution in 2006 maximised our self-government, in which for the first time ever the UK recognised our right to self-determination in our Constitution and which the UK openly declares to be non-colonial in nature.

• • Traditionally, the UK has always committed not to enter into sovereignty transfer arrangements against our wishes. But the GSD Government has obtained an even more valuable and secure commitment from the UK for Gibraltar, namely that the UK would not even take part in negotiations or discussions about our sovereignty unless Gibraltar is content!

• • Litigating in Europe whenever necessary to uphold and protect our political and economic rights (eg tax, waters, euro voting, GFA/UEFA and GOC/IOC cases).

• • Obtaining full Spanish recognition of our “350” telephone code and full EU Rights and status for our airport.

As a result of these unprecedented foreign policy achievements, Gibraltar’s position has never been more respected or secure!
We are therefore committed to continuing with the successful foreign policy that we have devised and implemented over the last 15 years. The stability, success and security that it has brought for Gibraltar must not be put in jeopardy.

The GSD has demonstrated time and time again, that with Peter Caruana’s sound judgement, firmness and experience and in his safe and trustworthy hands, it is possible to strongly defend our sovereignty and advance our political rights and aspirations in an effective and intelligent way that brings benefits and results, as well as safety and unprecedented degrees of normality in our relations with Spain.

As the GSD Government has demonstrated time and time again, we will encourage and pursue dialogue, co operation and good relations with Spain, but NEVER at the expenses of (and always safeguarding) our Sovereignty and political rights and aspirations as a people.

On the Constitutional front we have also taken many steps to advance self government and make Gibraltar look and feel more like a normal European country:

• • Maximising the transfer of legislative and other powers to Government and other Gibraltar authorities, as permitted and envisaged by the new Constitution;

• • Establishing a Gibraltar honour through the Gibraltar Medallions of Honour and Dsitinction to recognise those that have served Gibraltar and its people exceptionally well. This enhances our identity as a people;

• • Appointment of non political citizens to serve as Mayor for a year each, thus involving citizens in the representation of the community;

• • Establishing a superb new Gibraltar House in London, to represent Gibraltar in the UK and support our citizens there, thereby also raising our profile, identity and image of success;

• • Issue of “Queen of Gibraltar” coinage;

• • New, more festive National Day format to signal normality in our country celebrations;

• • Many visits, TV and press appearances abroad, including in Spain, by Chief Minister Peter Caruana to promote and defend Gibraltar;