MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
UK considers drawing a historic parallel between Gibraltar and Spain's Ceuta and Melilla
Both enclaves border Morocco but are constitutionally part of Spanish metropolitan territory, said Minister Lidington The British Government drew a historic parallel between Gibraltar and Spain’s north African enclaves in a parliamentary response this week. While recognizing that Ceuta and Melilla had a different constitutional relationship with Spain, Europe Minister David Lidington said the enclaves and Gibraltar both stemmed from “a distinct set of historical circumstances.”
And he added: “We continually monitor EU and international issues which may be relevant for safeguarding Gibraltar.”
Mr Lidington was responding in writing to a Tory MP who asked the British Government to press Spain within the European Union over “legal problems” arising from Ceuta and Melilla.
Philip Hollobone, the Conservative MP for Kettering, also urged the Foreign Office to commission a detailed study comparing Gibraltar’s relationship with the UK to Spain’s relationship with its North African enclaves.
Mr Lidington said there were no plans “at present” to commission such a study.
“Ceuta and Melilla both border Morocco but are constitutionally part of Spanish metropolitan territory,” he said.
“The status of the Spanish territories of Ceuta and Melilla is, like the status of Gibraltar as a British Overseas Territory, the result of a distinct set of historical circumstances.”
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Read all commentsYes - reciprocal pressure should be brought to bear on Spain¡
Dec 07th, 2013 - 07:58 am 0I feel that Briain ought to not only draw the historical parallels, but also positively support Moroccos claims...in addition to offering general support for Catalonian independence from Spain, the Spanish President felt he could comment (interfere) over Scotland's vote a couple of weeks ago...what's good for the goose is good for the gander, right?
Dec 07th, 2013 - 10:53 am 0The conquistadors should remember they began all the recent bullying of Gibraltar, turning great swathes of the Spanish population into hostile anti British activists ( car scratching, burning, firing at British jet skiers and forcing 7 hour queues at the Gibraltar border, for its own people as well as others)
The message it there, Spain is less safe and a lot more hostile to the British, think twice about that Spanish holiday, and think about purchasing Spanish products...
Since WW2 all silly irredentist claims are bankrupt, kaputt.
Dec 07th, 2013 - 12:38 pm 0Philippe
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