CM tells UN Gibraltar should be delisted on principle of self-determination

The Principle of Self Determination is the only one through which Gibraltar can be delisted.

This was the view presented by the Chief Minister to the Special Committee on Decolonisation.

In an address which followed the announcement of a Treaty agreement last week, Fabian Picardo asked for progress on the Rock's delisting too, again urging the UN to send a visiting delegation to the Rock.

Empty chamber

Those who watched today's session live would have noticed an empty chamber and that's because today's meeting was scheduled to have taken place last week on the day of the Treaty announcement.  It was moved to accommodate Gibraltar's petition.  

Addresses to the UN reflect developments on the Rock and the Chief Minister's today was no different.   

However the main message remains unchanged.

Chagos changes things

One new development was the International Court of Justice's opinion on Chagos which the Chief Minister said he took great comfort from.

And the Chief Minister pointed out the resolutions Spain was referring to originate from claims to Gibraltar at a time when Spain was not a democracy.  It was General Franco's dictatorship, he said, that first decided to use the Committee as a forum for prosecuting its claims to the Rock.

Fabian Picardo asked the Committee to stop doing nothing and to take action now.

The other new development the Chief Minister was able to report on was the Treaty agreement announced in Brussels.

Spanish representative: bilateral talks & territorial integrity

Spain began by talking of the model of peaceful co-existence the new agreement could bring for Gibraltar and the neighbouring Campo area.

The representative said it would also correct the imbalances created by the colonial situation for the prosperity of the region.

But it believes none of these solutions are a substitute for, what it termed the real negotiations, a return of Gibraltar's sovereignty to Spain and delisting in line with the principle of Territorial Integrity.

Right of reply for Chief Minister

In an unusual move- the Chief Minister was allowed a Right of Reply.  He reiterated the ruling over Chagos that the land had to be preserved as when it was delisted..

Fabian Picardo said the people of Gibraltar had different views to Spain and that in this modern world the people's views were paramount.

What about the UK?

The UK Government does not engage officially with the Committee of 24. It is not a member but it does maintain informal dialogue with.