CONFIDENTIAL
GIBRALTAR
1. The agreement which the Secretary of State and the Spanish Foreign Minister reached in Lisbon on 10 April 1980 provided for the restoration of direct communications between
Gibraltar and Spain and for the opening of negotiations aimed at overcoming all the differences between Spain and Britain
on Gibraltar. The text of the agreement reaffirms the
British Government's commitment never to enter into arrangements
under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the
sovereignty of another state against their freely and
democratically expressed wishes. Both Governments continue
to work for the implementation of the agreement as soon as
possible.
2.
The UK delegation should make it clear that our position
is based on the wishes of the people of Gibraltar and on our
pledges to them. Our position should be fully reserved and
instructions sought as necessary from the FCO.
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CONFIDENTIAL