The Spanish leftwing political party Izquierda Unida [IU] has tabled questions in Spain’s parliament asking why Gibraltar continues to be a priority matter for the central government in Madrid.
Gibraltar Football Association President Gareth Latin announced that Gibraltar has been invited to participate in UEFA Under 17, Under 19 and Futsal competitions, commencing in September 2013, despite Spain’s “outright objection”.
Britain this week raised the issue of disproportionate Gibraltar border checks and delays “at the highest level” with the Spanish Government. The issue was revealed in Parliament by Europe Minister David Lidington who was responding to a question in an emergency debate instigated by the all party Gibraltar group.
The Gibraltar Government strongly condemned the lengthy and deliberate delays to cross the frontier into Spain which have been experienced by Gibraltarians and visitors to Gibraltar. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, currently in London has already been in touch with the UK Government and urged them to take up the matter with Spain at the highest level
The British Government responded to Spain’s intervention at the UN Fourth Decolonization Committee with a firm statement about its commitment to the people of Gibraltar and their British sovereignty.
The opening session of the UN Fourth Committee on decolonisation was dominated by a joint verbal assault on Britain by South American countries over the issue of the Falkland Islands. One after another, representatives of governments in the region called on the UK to enter into dialogue with Argentina over the sovereignty of the Islands, which are claimed by the government in Buenos Aires.
The British Government and the Government of Gibraltar must work ever more closely together in a spirit of openness and trust to further mutual interests and “without conceding on sovereignty, which must remain paramount,” they must also look to the future and work to strengthen relationships with Spain”.
The Gibraltar Government has provided for more protection for British Gibraltar Territorial Waters with the publication of the revised Southern Waters of Gibraltar Management Scheme.
Chief Minister Fabian Picardo hosted the annual Gibraltar Government reception at the Labour Party Conference in Manchester on Sunday which was also attended by Falkland Islands Members of the Legislative Assembly, Jan Cheek and Ian Hansen.
Spain will exhaust all legal means to prevent the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar gaining full membership of UEFA, Sports Minister Jose Ignacio Wert said. Gibraltar was admitted as a provisional member of European soccer's governing body on Monday and a decision on whether to grant full membership will be taken at a UEFA Congress in London next May.