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PM has 'constructive' call with Spain over Gibraltar Gibraltar border row: UK and Spain PMs in talks
(about 1 hour later)
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has offered to "reduce measures" at the Gibraltar border following a phone call with David Cameron, Number 10 has said. UK PM David Cameron says he had a "constructive" phone conversation with his Spanish counterpart Mariano Rajoy over the Gibraltar border checks row.
The call followed a formal protest from Britain's ambassador to Spain over the "disproportionate" border checks. No 10 said that during the call Mr Rajoy offered to reduce the checks, which Britain's ambassador to Spain has described as "disproportionate".
In a statement after the call however Mr Rajoy did not mention such an offer, insisting the checks were "perfectly in line" with border regulations. But in a subsequent statement, the Spanish PM insisted the checks were "perfectly in line" with regulations.
A spokesperson for Number 10 told the BBC it stood by its comment. He did not mention any offer of curbing the border checks.
Earlier the prime minister said he had conducted a "constructive" conversation with Mr Rajoy. No 10 is standing by its interpretation of the call.
Mr Cameron called to express his "serious concerns" over deteriorating relations, Number 10's press office said. Artificial reef
Last weekend increased vehicle checks at the border caused major delays for tourists and locals. Last weekend, increased vehicle checks at the border caused major delays for tourists and locals.
The rigorous Spanish checks followed Gibraltar's move to drop concrete blocks into the bay to start creating an artificial reef which it said would encourage sea life.The rigorous Spanish checks followed Gibraltar's move to drop concrete blocks into the bay to start creating an artificial reef which it said would encourage sea life.
Spain says the blocks were laid "without the necessary authorisation", contravening its own environmental laws and damaging its fishing industry, because Spanish fishing nets were in danger of catching on the concrete reef blocks.
Spain also said it was considering a new 50 euro (£43) fee to cross the border with the British territory.Spain also said it was considering a new 50 euro (£43) fee to cross the border with the British territory.
After making a bid to ease tensions over the telephone, Mr Cameron said on Twitter: "Constructive call with Spain's PM Rajoy. I made clear my concerns re Gibraltar and that our position on sovereignty won't change". Mr Cameron called to express his "serious concerns" over deteriorating relations, Downing Street's press office said.
After the call, Mr Cameron said on Twitter: "Constructive call with Spain's PM Rajoy. I made clear my concerns re Gibraltar and that our position on sovereignty won't change".
Mr Rajoy said in a later statement that he reiterated his desire to "seek a swift solution" to the situation and agreed with Mr Cameron that the UK and Spanish foreign ministers "should begin talks immediately to resolve the disagreement".Mr Rajoy said in a later statement that he reiterated his desire to "seek a swift solution" to the situation and agreed with Mr Cameron that the UK and Spanish foreign ministers "should begin talks immediately to resolve the disagreement".
During the 10-minute conversation he had said that relations between the two countries and their disagreements should be resolved with "honesty".During the 10-minute conversation he had said that relations between the two countries and their disagreements should be resolved with "honesty".
However, the statement said he had made no mention of agreeing to "reduce measures" at the border, instead insisting that the checks were "perfectly in line with the Schengen Borders Code".However, the statement said he had made no mention of agreeing to "reduce measures" at the border, instead insisting that the checks were "perfectly in line with the Schengen Borders Code".
The Spanish leader said that he had told Mr Cameron the "unilateral act of installing cement blocks in Algeciras Bay was unacceptable".The Spanish leader said that he had told Mr Cameron the "unilateral act of installing cement blocks in Algeciras Bay was unacceptable".
Risk to relationsRisk to relations
Number 10 stood by its earlier announcement that Mr Rajoy "committed to reducing measures at the border", and that both leaders had agreed there should be a solution to the fishing dispute. Number 10 stood by its earlier announcement that Mr Rajoy had "committed to reducing measures at the border", and that both leaders had agreed there should be a solution to the fishing dispute.
A spokesperson said that the prime minister had also reiterated over the phone, as previously agreed with Spain, that the issue should not damage UK-Spanish relations.A spokesperson said that the prime minister had also reiterated over the phone, as previously agreed with Spain, that the issue should not damage UK-Spanish relations.
She added: "However there was a real risk of this happening unless the situation at the border improved. She added: "However, there was a real risk of this happening unless the situation at the border improved.
"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.""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."
Though Mr Cameron said he was satisfied that they had made progress, he added: "I'll only really be satisfied when this is properly de-escalated and the interests of the people of Gibraltar are properly looked after".Though Mr Cameron said he was satisfied that they had made progress, he added: "I'll only really be satisfied when this is properly de-escalated and the interests of the people of Gibraltar are properly looked after".
Foreign Secretary William Hague said he had spoken to his Spanish counterpart in the wake of the call.
He said: "I have now spoken to the Spanish foreign minister to reiterate that recent events at the Spain/Gibraltar border and continuing border delays are disproportionate.
"I urged the Spanish authorities to de-escalate the situation. [Gibraltar's] chief minister (Fabian) Picardo has been consistent throughout in his commitment to introduce measures on sustainable fishing in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters.
"These matters are within the constitutional competence of Gibraltar and show Gibraltar's genuine willingness to resolve the fishing dispute."
Last weekend, Ambassador Giles Paxman sought an official explanation for Spanish threats to levy changes and to close airspace.Last weekend, Ambassador Giles Paxman sought an official explanation for Spanish threats to levy changes and to close airspace.
Mr Paxman visited the Spanish secretary of state for foreign affairs Gonzalo de Benito. The Foreign Office said Mr Paxman reiterated that the UK would stand "shoulder to shoulder" with Gibraltar in the face of threats from Spain.Mr Paxman visited the Spanish secretary of state for foreign affairs Gonzalo de Benito. The Foreign Office said Mr Paxman reiterated that the UK would stand "shoulder to shoulder" with Gibraltar in the face of threats from Spain.