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Three big “themes” of Spain's foreign policy; Gibraltar's cruise terminal one millionth visitor; Best international finance centre.

Three big "themes" of Spain's foreign policy

An experienced Spanish diplomat concluded last week that "no country" would allow Spain to dominate both sides of the strategic Strait of Gibraltar.

He made the statement while speaking about Spain's North African enclaves Ceuta and Melilla, and their relation to Madrid's sovereignty claim over Gibraltar.

Professor Ángel Ballesteros who has been a diplomat for over 30 years and is recognised as a leading expert on Spanish foreign policy, was speaking at a book presentation in Ceuta.

He said Gibraltar was one of the three "big themes" in Spanish foreign policy ? alongside Ceuta and Melilla, and the Western Sahara ? and that all three were intimately linked. He highlighted how Morocco has always insisted that if Spain recovers Gibraltar, it would follow suit by reclaiming Ceuta and Melilla. But the two issues were different, he said.

"This is about a clash between two great internationalist principles: the right to self-determination, denied to Gibraltar by the United Nations, and territorial integrity," he said in an interview with the Spanish press. "In the case of Ceuta [and Melilla], the second principle prevails?"

Gibraltar's cruise terminal one millionth visitor

The Gibraltar Cruise Terminal is tomorrow set to welcome its one-millionth passenger since it opened in 1997. The passenger is due to arrive in the cruise ship Sea Princess, which is estimated to arrive in Gibraltar this week.

To mark the occasion, the Gibraltar Tourist Board is poised to make the event a memorable one for the lucky passenger and for Gibraltar. A fanfare provided by the Rooke Volunteer Band will announce the arrival of the passenger and the Gibraltar Tourist Board's History Alive Group will provide a guard of honour.

The Minister for Tourism, Joe Holliday will make a presentation to the fortunate visitor assisted by Miss Gibraltar 2004, Helen Gustafson. Members of the Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses have donated various gifts to present to the passenger. Representatives from some of the companies that have donated gifts will be presenting these in person.

The Gibraltar Tourist Board will offer a VIP Tour following the presentation to the passenger. The Rooke Volunteer Band will continue to play at the Cruise Terminal for the benefit of other passengers until 11.00a.m.

"The arrival of our one-millionth passenger is a testament to the Government's efforts in attracting more cruise visitors to the Rock and is evidence of Gibraltar's continued status as one of the most popular ports of call in the Mediterranean", said Mr Holliday.

Best international finance centre

Finance magazine "Investment International" has declared Gibraltar as this year's winner of the Offshore Finance Awards under the category best international finance centre.

A Gibraltar Government spokesman said that this was a well deserved accolade for the reputations Gibraltar is now enjoying in the field of international financial services. Government said it was delighted by this recognition.