A retired Spanish diplomat has sparked controversy after circulating a number of opinion articles that contradicted the official Spanish position on key issues including Gibraltar.
Gibraltar Chief Minister Peter Caruana has moved to lance the bubble of speculation that followed reports of his mention of the Andorra (*) status at a talk to political and business leaders in Seville last week.
Spain’s Instituto Cervantes director Carmen Caffarel has declared that the opening of a branch of the prestigious academic institute in Britain’s Overseas Territory Gibraltar, is “inevitably” due to political reasons, as a consequence of the Cordoba Agreements achieved by the Tripartite Forum (UK, Spain and Gibraltar).
The new Cunard cruise ship ‘Queen Elizabeth’ called into Gibraltar for the first time on Friday. She is scheduled to become a frequent visitor to the Rock returning later this month with more port calls next year.
New Spanish Foreign Minister Trinidad Jiménez has declared that her objective in respect of Gibraltar is “to generate enough confidence to renew bilateral talks about Gibraltar’s sovereignty with the British Government.”
Gibraltar Chief Minister, Peter Caruana addressed leading MPS and guests on Sunday at the start of the British Conservative conference in Birmingham.
The British Government will discuss with Spain ways of ensuring coordination and avoiding volatile confrontations between law enforcement agencies at sea following the hostile stand-off this week in which Guardia Civil officers physically prevented Gibraltar policemen from arresting a suspected smuggler.
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague announced a review of the overall approach of the coalition government towards the Overseas Territories and stated that contrary to France the UK does not regard OT as part of the home state nor has plans for such a move, reports Panorama.
The Gibraltar Government made public an apology to Spain at the weekend after a Madrid newspaper revealed that two Gibraltar policemen illegally searched a house in Alcaidesa and seized evidence without first informing the Spanish authorities.
The controversy over a Spanish town Mayor proposal for a toll on traffic to neighbouring Gibraltar has reached the European Union. Ashley Fox, Gibraltar’s Tory MEP, has asked the European Commission to state whether the proposal would breach EU rules on freedom of movement.