Spain’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jose Manuel Albares, responded somewhat critically to comments made by European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas regarding the prospects for a UK/EU treaty on Gibraltar.

This led to a joint statement by Albares and Maroš Šefčovič, the European Commission Vice President in charge of the Gibraltar negotiation, distancing themselves from Schinas’ remarks.

The joint statement emphasised that negotiations between the EU and the United Kingdom concerning Gibraltar are proceeding as planned and entering a sensitive stage.

It clarified that Šefčovič is leading the negotiations on behalf of the European Commission.

Schinas, speaking at the briefing, remarked that the negotiation had taken longer than anticipated and expressed doubt about reaching a resolution before the European elections.

His comments, reportedly made in a jovial manner, clearly reflected his views on Brexit and the UK’s position.

However, they prompted criticism from Albares, who stated that Schinas was not involved in the Gibraltar negotiation and conveyed his hope that only the relevant commissioner, Šefčovič, would comment on it in the future.

In response to Albares’ criticism, Schinas apologised, stating that his remarks were unintentional and based on incomplete information.

Albares stressed the importance of ongoing negotiations with the UK and the Commission, emphasising the shared goal of reaching an agreement expeditiously.

Regarding the delay in concluding the negotiation, Albares downplayed its significance, noting that missed deadlines were common in Brexit-related negotiations.

He attributed the delay to the complexity of addressing various aspects arising from the UK’s withdrawal referendum.

Overall, Albares’ response aimed to maintain a neutral stance while emphasizing the importance of ongoing negotiations and the need for all parties involved to focus on reaching a timely agreement.

Gibraltar was ceded to the British in 1713 under the terms of the Treaty of Utrecht.

Schinas and the QatarGate scandal: European Commission “didn’t answer a single one of the questions.”

Commissioner Schinas represented the EU at the opening ceremony of the Qatar World Cup in 2022, and was criticised at the time by MEPs over his tweets lavishing praise on Qatar’s labour reforms.

Asked about the European Commission’s response to the Qatar corruption scandal engulfing the European Parliament, and in particular the stance of Schinas, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen remained silent on the matter.

According to Politico, Schinas had spearheaded a move by the European Commission to recommend lifting visa requirements for Qatar, a major ambition for the Qataris, and an issue linked with others named in the Qatargate episode.

The decision by deputy European Commission spokesperson to shut down questions from journalists, sparked a furious reaction from reporters in the room, who called for more answers.

Previously, in 2019, when Schinas was appointed to the newly created post of “Commissioner for Protecting our European Way of Life,” tasked with overseeing the EU’s immigration policy the commission was accused of adopting “grotesque” and “fascist” rhetoric.

Main Image: Photographer: Alexis HAULOT

Copyright: © European Union 2024 – Source : EP

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