Tag: Gibraltar

• Monday, December 9th 2013 - 11:07 UTC

  Gibraltar new governor ratifies UK full support, self determination and dialogue with Spain

  

  In previous years the arrival to Gibraltar of a new Governor by sea was part of the pageantry and tradition the Rock had come to expect - but sailing in on flagship HMS Bulwark after a sovereignty patrol of British waters, Lieutenant General Sir James Dutton captured Gibraltarians hearts and souls.

• Thursday, December 5th 2013 - 19:06 UTC

  How Gibraltar 2002 referendum foundered plan for joint-sovereignty with Spain

  

  It was 2002 when Spain and UK had agreed the broad terms of joint sovereignty over Gibraltar, including inclusion in Schengen and the Customs Union. But the deal unraveled once the then Gibraltar Chief Minister Peter Caruana held the referendum later that year. This is the story as told by former Spanish premier Jose Maria Aznar, according to the Gibraltar Chronicle.

• Wednesday, December 4th 2013 - 21:47 UTC

  Tory MPs want Spain pressed on the 'legal problems' of Ceuta and Melilla claimed by Morocco

  

  A Tory MP has 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, made the request in a written parliamentary question on Gibraltar tabled in the House of Commons.

• Thursday, November 28th 2013 - 10:36 UTC

  Spain assures it will not open UK government bags with official correspondence

  

  Spain has assured London that the incident in which UK government bags containing official correspondence and communications were opened by Spanish officials at the Gibraltar border, “will not see a repeat of these actions”, according to an official release from the Foreign Office on the update to Parliament on the incident.

• Wednesday, November 27th 2013 - 16:10 UTC

  Foreign Office complains to Spain search of a UK diplomatic bag at the Gibraltar border

  

  The British Government said Spain’s decision to search a UK diplomatic bag at the border with Gibraltar was “a serious infringement” of international diplomatic protocol. In a statement, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office said it had called on the Spanish Government to look into the incident and ensure it was not repeated.

• Wednesday, November 27th 2013 - 10:12 UTC

  UK 'unreserved' support for Gibraltar's international sports: first football, now rugby

  

  Britain’s Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Maria Miller, has pledged her ‘unreserved’ support Gibraltar’s international sporting ambitions. The backing for Gibraltar comes as the Gibraltar Rugby Football Union (GRFU) goes through the process of FIRA/AER (European Rugby Federation) membership after being previously rejected and blocked by Spain last July despite meeting the necessary criteria.

• Tuesday, November 26th 2013 - 20:41 UTC

  UK and EU have not been firm enough with Spain, claims former Royal Navy chief

  

  Current events in Gibraltar and the continued incursions by Spanish vessels in the Rock's territorial waters were addressed in a strong piece in the Daily Telegraph by the former head of the Royal Navy, Lord Admiral West. This follows calls from British MPs last week for pressure to be brought on Spain within the context of NATO.

• Tuesday, November 26th 2013 - 09:01 UTC

  UK/Spain annual Tertulias Forum takes off in Oxford; Gibraltar expected to be addressed

  

  Britain’s Europe Minister, David Lidington, and Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel García-Margallo are attending a top-level Anglo-Hispanic forum that starts this week in Oxford. The annual British-Spanish Tertulias Forum brings together senior ministers, parliamentarians, academics, business leaders, scientists and artists from both countries to discuss topical issues.

• Friday, November 22nd 2013 - 20:21 UTC

  “Excellent relations with UK” but “tough controls on Gibraltar” announced Rajoy

  

  Spain’s President Mariano Rajoy has declared his intent to sustain both good relations with Britain and tough controls on Gibraltar at the border. The remarks came in an interview with Radio Nacional de España in which he defended Spain’s attitude to Gibraltar.

• Thursday, November 21st 2013 - 18:56 UTC

  British parliament sends strong message to Spain decrying belligerence towards Gibraltar

  

  British MPs from across the political spectrum sent “an extremely powerful message” to the Spanish Government voicing anger at its treatment of Gibraltar and its people. Parliamentarians from all the major British political parties spoke in unison to decry Spanish belligerence toward the Rock during a 40-minute emergency session in the House of Commons.