Spanish Foreign Secretary Jose Manuel Garcia Margallo has delivered what could possibly be his last comment on Spain’s claim to Gibraltar’s sovereignty in his current role. The official has jumped on the bandwagon of a new Argentine platform seeking international support for the return of the Falkland Islands and urging UK to agree to bilateral talks over Gibraltar’s sovereignty.
The number of unlawful incursions by Spanish state vessels into British Gibraltar territorial waters rose last year compared to 2014. But the number of serious incidents tailed off in the final months of 2015 against the context of diplomatic efforts to increase cooperation at sea, according to a report published in the Gibraltar Chronicle.
The United Kingdom has reiterated that the sovereignty of Gibraltar is not a matter for discussion or negotiation with Spain. This follows a call by the Spanish Foreign Ministry for a resumption of bilateral dialogue with the UK over Gibraltar.
HMS Lancaster, a type 23 Frigate is in Gibraltar for a few days to top up on fuel and supplies and allow its crew some rest and recuperation. HMS Lancaster recently completed a 9-month deployment to the South Atlantic where she conducted Atlantic Patrol Tasking, and made over 23 port visits in 18 countries.
Gibraltar's incumbent Chief Minister Fabian Picardo thanked his supporters for their “tsunami of support” on Friday after he won a landslide victory in a general election.
Flags fly at half-mast on Whitehall government buildings as the United Kingdom observed a minute's silence on Monday 16 November 2015. The minute's silence was held across Europe at 11am (UK time), in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the series of terrorist attacks in Paris, France.
Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo has been invited to attend a high level security briefing at the Ministry of Defense in London next week, part of a drive by the British Government to foster closer links with the Government of Gibraltar.
The European Union needs to be ‘fixed, not thrown away’, Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo has said in a letter to The Times. The letter follows news that Nigel Lawson is to lead the Conservative movement to leave the EU and Mr. Picardo told the newspaper that those whose best future lies in remaining in a secure Europe “need to speak up”.
UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has issued a firm hands-off warning to Argentina by insisting the government will “never sell out” the Falkland Islands. The Foreign Secretary insisted the “bullying and harassment” against the Islanders must stop, adding it is counter-productive and “shameful”.
In a press release issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on October 1, it was announced that the new Governor of Gibraltar would be former Royal Marine Lieutenant General Edward (Ed) Davis CB CBE.