MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Spain readies for Princess Anne coming visit to Gibraltar

HRH The Princess Anne

Next month's visit to Gibraltar by the Princess Anne could derail the tripartite talks if it is a high profile one, according to a senator from the Spanish ruling party PSOE, reports the Gibraltar Chronicle.

Senator Jose Carracao said that the visit by the Princess Royal is "inopportune" because it "injures the sensitivities of Spanish public opinion and that of the Campo in particular". "We have nothing against the Royal Family or the Princess of course. What is provocative is that Princess Anne should come over to open a medical centre with her own name built on the isthmus. And this on a territory that is subject to dispute". He said that he believes that once the visit is made it will be evaluated by the Spanish Government and it will respond accordingly, depending if it is high level or discreet event. "If it is high profile it could, I think, prejudice the (tripartite: UK, Span and Gibraltar) talks" said Senator Carracao. He added PSOE were already facing criticism from the PP conservative opposition who would say that the Madrid Government had made concessions to Gibraltar and not even been able to prevent a "provocation" of this nature. "If the visit sees the Princess swamped by the multitudes, I would not be surprised if it derails the talks," he said. Meanwhile from Madrid Carmen Caffarel head of the Instituto Cervantes (the equivalent of the British Council) has said the organisation expects to open its Gibraltar presence at Cloister Building after the summer. She said works to the building are awaiting planning permission.