UK PM David Cameron says he had a "constructive" phone conversation with his Spanish counterpart Mariano Rajoy over the Gibraltar border checks row.
UK PM David Cameron says he had a "constructive" phone conversation with his Spanish counterpart Mariano Rajoy over the Gibraltar border checks row.
No 10 said that during the call Mr Rajoy offered to reduce the checks, which Britain's ambassador to Spain has described as "disproportionate".
No 10 said during the call Mr Rajoy offered to reduce the checks, which Britain's ambassador to Spain has described as "disproportionate".
But in a subsequent statement, the Spanish PM insisted the checks were "perfectly in line" with regulations.
But in a subsequent statement, the Spanish PM insisted the checks were "perfectly in line" with regulations.
He did not mention any offer of curbing the border checks.
He did not mention any offer of curbing the border checks.
No 10 is standing by its interpretation of the call.
No 10 is standing by its interpretation of the call.
Artificial reef
Artificial reef
Last weekend, increased vehicle checks at the border caused major delays for tourists and locals.
Ten days ago Spanish authorities increased vehicle checks at the border, causing major delays for tourists and residents.
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.
It has also reportedly mooted bringing in a new 50 euro (£43) fee on every vehicle entering or leaving the British territory.
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.
This followed Gibraltar's decision to drop 70 concrete blocks into the sea next to its territory, which it said would create an artificial reef and encourage sea life to flourish.
Spain also said it was considering a new 50 euro (£43) fee to cross the border with the British territory.
Mr Cameron had called the Spanish PM to express his "serious concerns" over deteriorating diplomatic relations between the two countries, Downing Street's press office said.
Mr Cameron called to express his "serious concerns" over deteriorating relations, Downing Street's press office said.
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said he too had spoken to his Spanish counterpart. "I urged the Spanish authorities to de-escalate the situation," he reported.
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".
Gibraltar and Spain have a long-running disagreement about how best to exploit the region's marine resources.
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".
The concrete blocks effectively prevent Spain's favoured technique, which involves raking the sea bed, a spokesman for the Foreign Office explained.
During the 10-minute conversation he had said that relations between the two countries and their disagreements should be resolved with "honesty".
Gibraltar's chief minister Fabian Picardo has said he has no intention of removing the reef.
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".
But on Monday he indicated that new regulations would allow "sustainable" fishing by Spanish fleets in Gibraltar's territorial waters for the first time since they were barred in 2012, the spokesman added.
The Spanish leader said that he had told Mr Cameron the "unilateral act of installing cement blocks in Algeciras Bay was unacceptable".
Mr Hague said this showed Gibraltar's "genuine willingness to resolve the fishing dispute".
Risk to relations
But Spanish authorities have said Gibraltar had laid the blocks "without the necessary authorisation" in "waters that are not theirs", contravening environmental laws and damaging Spain's fishing industry.
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.
In a statement issued after the call with Mr Cameron, Mr Rajoy said he had reiterated his desire to "seek a swift solution" to the row.
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.
But also said he had reiterated Spain's position that the "unilateral act of installing cement blocks in Algeciras Bay was unacceptable".
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."
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.
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.
