Little Progress In Anglo-Spanish Talks But Blair And Aznar Deny Crisis

by Jason Gorringe, Tax-News.com, London

23 May 2002

According to reports, talks between UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and his Spanish counterpart, Jose Maria Aznar on Monday failed to progress the stalled Anglo-Spanish negotiation on the sovereignty of Gibraltar, a revelation which will doubtless delight the Rock's government, which has boycotted the talks since they began.

The two leaders attempted to put an optimistic spin on the 90 minute meeting, the Panorama news service reported, revealing, somewhat weakly, that progress had been made on tackling illegal immigration into the European Union. Mr Blair told reporters that the talks were continuing in a 'positive and sensible atmosphere', and Mr Aznar said at a press conference that his visit had been 'very fruitful indeed'.

Although the Spanish Prime Minister was forced to admit that there are 'a number of problems that have to be resolved', he rejected suggestions that the negotiations between Britain and Spain are now in crisis.

According to Panorama, the two leaders plan to meet prior to an EU summit in Seville next month. However, with Spain unwilling to budge over its claims to sole sovereignty of the disputed territory, the likelihood of an agreement being reached by the self-imposed deadline of July appears to be diminishing

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