25/05/2012

Gibraltar Fishing Row Escalates

The Royal Gibraltar Police have confronted Spanish officers escorting Spanish fishing boats in the waters near Gibraltar for the second night running.

The problem has arisen after Gibraltar's government said fishing with large nets in the area is illegal because of an environmental law.

However Spain claims sovereignty over the UK colony and its foreign ministry has said it supports the right of Spanish boats to fish in its waters.

The Spanish and UK foreign secretaries are due to meet in London on Tuesday.

Spain's foreign ministry has said the fishing dispute will not affect its "excellent" relations with Britain, which has counted Gibraltar as a colony since 1713.

Responding to the latest incident, a spokesman for the foreign ministry said it had been resolved without serious consequences.

"Spain hopes that these incidents will not repeat themselves and that the question of legitimate fishing rights can be resolved through collaboration and negotiation."

(H)


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