UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw insists that sovereignty of the Rock will be decided by its people in a referendum.
But the Gibraltar Government boycotted the 20 November meeting because it has not been given a veto over its outcome.
Rock resident Joey Gabay believes Britain is letting down its citizens. But Spanish embassy press counsellor Carlos Sanchez says the talks represent a long-overdue solution to a centuries-old problem
Joey Gabay, Voice of Gibraltar Group
A Gibraltarian is a British citizen and basically what this Labour Government is trying to do is make us second-class British citizens. They are treating the people with contempt.
Nobody can tell us what is best for us. I think we know what is best for us. We've always had strong ties with Britain.
Would you accept that the land below your feet, the land that is your homeland, be changed to somebody else?
I think that after 300 years of being loyal to Britain the least the British Government can do is respect the people of Gibraltar. We're not asking for anything more.
Stood by Britain
In any sort of western European democracy the rights of the people and of self-determination are for everybody.
It is not that we want to be independent. We have stood by Britain in every war.
Spain's position is understandable because Spain was a dictatorship 26 years ago. It is not that long ago.
The 20 November is the 26th anniversary of the death of Franco and the reality is that Spain's policy on Gibraltar has not changed an inch because there are more restrictions on Gibraltarians today than in the days of Franco. And for Britain to side with that is incredible.
Spaniards see Gibraltar as a foreign colony with no place in the world today.
All the Spaniards, whatever their political leanings, are united in this view. The time has come to solve this problem once and for all.
It is an anachronism resulting from an 18th Century military adventure.
We see Gibraltar as an integral part of Spain. We feel strongly about that.
The historical roots of the whole thing are very important because it was captured during a fight between forces representing two pretenders to the Spanish throne.
Of course this has all been forgotten but the feeling is still there and has survived that the original population was expelled without anyone asking them whether they'd like to or not.
So the situation is still there - a foreign power in a place which is an integral part of the whole territory.
Close ties
Spain and the UK share so many values and are allies and good friends - the Spanish people can't understand why this situation is still there.
So I think the governments have understood that it is high time they got together to discuss this matter.
The British (Gibraltar residents) can keep their nationality if they want.
We need a modern solution adapted to today's times. We need to update the situation.
The Spanish people feel sympathy for the British. It would be very regrettable if we could not find a way out.
It is the only trouble between us and has very deep historical roots.