Gibraltar prepares for visit of Earl and Countess of Wessex

Gibraltar has banned Spanish fishing boats from entering its waters under
marine protection laws overturning a previous agreement but Spain does not
recognise Gibraltar’s ownership of waters around its coast.

The dispute had led to stand-offs between Spanish Civil Guard boats
accompanying fishermen in the area and Gibraltar police patrol vessels
enforcing the ban.

The 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, which ceded Gibraltar to Britain, in perpetuity
made no mention of waters, nor of the isthmus that joins the peninsula to
the mainland which serves as the runway for Gibraltar’s airport.

Such issues will be brought into the spotlight when the Earl of Wessex
officially opens a new terminal at the airport, within sight of the Spanish
side of the border.

A conservative MEP for Gibraltar has called Spain’s argument over fishing and
attitude to the visit as the “latest act of provocation” by Spain.

“This is simply another case of the Spanish government trying to divert
public attention away from the problems with their economy,” said
Ashley Fox. “The Spanish need to accept that Gibraltar is allowed to
govern its own waters,” he said.

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