David Cameron claims to have read the riot act to Spanish premier Mariano Rajoy over the recent Gibraltar row – but a statement from Spain contradicts him.
Downing Street said the prime minister held a “constructive” phonecall with Mr Rajoy on Wednesday.
According to his office, Mr Cameron “made it clear” that the current situation – a row sparked by a fishing dispute between British sovereign territory Gibraltar and Spain – was “not acceptable” and would damage UK-Spanish relations if it continued.
I think it is important that we recognise it is not acceptable, what has been happening with the people of Gibraltar. David Cameron
“I had a clear and constructive conversation with the Spanish prime minister,” Mr Cameron later said.
“I think it is important that we recognise it is not acceptable, what has been happening with the people of Gibraltar, in terms of delays and other things that they have faced. I made that point clear.
“Of course, there is a fishing dispute between Gibraltar and Spain and that needs to be settled and we agreed that should be settled but it is not right to escalate things in the way that has been done and I made that very clear to the Spanish prime minister.
President Rajoy argued to Prime Minister Cameron that the unilateral act of installing the blocks of cement in the bay of Algeciras was unacceptable. Spanish government
“We agreed that our foreign ministers would speak and try to resolve these issues but I am very clear that Britain will always stand up for the people of Gibraltar.”
Downing Street said during the conversation it was agreed that Gibraltarian border checks, imposed by Spain last week leading to eight-hour traffic jams, would be reduced. Both sides also agreed on the need for a solution to the fishing row, the prime minister’s office added.
“(Mr) Rajoy agreed that he did not want the issue to become an obstacle in the bilateral relations and that we needed to find a way to de-escalate the issue,” it said.
However, the Spanish government has since defended the border checks, claiming they are necessary to prevent smuggling.
A statement said of the phone call: “The head of the Spanish government reiterated his will to find as soon as is possible a solution to the current situation created by the Gibraltar authorities, which has produced a deep unease and a great concern because it hurts the environment and fishing activity.
“In this respect, president Rajoy argued to Prime Minister Cameron that the unilateral act of installing the blocks of cement in the bay of Algeciras was unacceptable.”
It continued: “The president of the government explained to his British counterpart that the development of controls at the border are due to the fulfillment of the duty to control illegal trafficking.
“President Rajoy reiterated that the measures were perfectly within the Schengen borders code, guided exclusively by the principles of randomness, proportionality and non-discrimination.”
Earlier this week Mr Cameron said he was “seriously concerned” by escalating tensions over the issue.
Read more: Why are we still arguing about Gibraltar?
Mr Cameron tweeted following the conversation that he had stressed that “our position on sovereignty won’t change.”
Constructive call with Spain’s PM Rajoy. I made clear my concerns re Gibraltar and that our position on sovereignty won’t change.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) August 7, 2013
The latest development in the historic row over Gibraltar’s sovereignty was sparked last week when Gibraltar began dumping blocks of concrete into the sea near its territory.
Gibraltar said the concrete was making an artificial reef which would foster fish populations, but Spain said its boats were being blocked from fishing waters.
On Tuesday, Britain’s ambassador in Madrid lodged a formal protest with Spanish authorities over the issue.
Earlier on Wednesday, queues had formed once again on the Spanish side of Gibraltar’s border, and checks were ramped up again.
With both sides appearing to claim they took the strong stances on the issue, whether or not tensions will be diffused in the long-term remains to be seen.