This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23576039

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Q&A: Gibraltar row Q&A: Gibraltar row
(4 days later)
UK Prime Minister David Cameron says he is "seriously concerned" about the escalation of tensions at the border between Spain and Gibraltar. What is the latest dispute about?UK Prime Minister David Cameron says he is "seriously concerned" about the escalation of tensions at the border between Spain and Gibraltar. What is the latest dispute about?
What and where is Gibraltar?What and where is Gibraltar?
Gibraltar, less than six square kilometres (2.2 sq miles), is a limestone outcrop at the mouth of the Mediterranean. Standing nearly 430m (1,400ft) high at its peak, it is a British Overseas Territory, although Spain, which it borders, also claims sovereignty. The people who live there are British citizens but they run their own affairs under a chief minister.Gibraltar, less than six square kilometres (2.2 sq miles), is a limestone outcrop at the mouth of the Mediterranean. Standing nearly 430m (1,400ft) high at its peak, it is a British Overseas Territory, although Spain, which it borders, also claims sovereignty. The people who live there are British citizens but they run their own affairs under a chief minister.
The territory is self-governing in all matters - including taxation - except foreign policy and defence, which are dealt with by the British government. The Rock - as it is known - is also a popular tourist destination, particularly for visitors from Britain. Among its attractions are the local apes that can be seen on the Rock, a community of Barbary macaques.The territory is self-governing in all matters - including taxation - except foreign policy and defence, which are dealt with by the British government. The Rock - as it is known - is also a popular tourist destination, particularly for visitors from Britain. Among its attractions are the local apes that can be seen on the Rock, a community of Barbary macaques.
Although Gibraltar is small, it is strategically important, standing at the mouth of the Mediterranean only 20km (12 miles) from the north coast of Africa. It has a Nato base, including a port and airstrip. Although Gibraltar is small, it is strategically important, standing at the mouth of the Mediterranean only 20km (12 miles) from the north coast of Africa. It has a UK military base, including a port and airstrip.
Why is Gibraltar back in the news?Why is Gibraltar back in the news?
The underlying dispute over the sovereignty of the territory has continued for centuries, but in the last couple of years it has manifested itself in the form of a clash over fishing rights. Both Spain and Gibraltar have claimed jurisdiction over the waters off the Rock, and both sides have complained about incursions into what they claim are their waters. Both sides have also invoked environmental laws in a bid to reinforce their claims.The underlying dispute over the sovereignty of the territory has continued for centuries, but in the last couple of years it has manifested itself in the form of a clash over fishing rights. Both Spain and Gibraltar have claimed jurisdiction over the waters off the Rock, and both sides have complained about incursions into what they claim are their waters. Both sides have also invoked environmental laws in a bid to reinforce their claims.
The most recent spat erupted in July after Gibraltar - without prior warning - dropped concrete blocks into the bay to start creating, it said, an artificial reef to encourage sea life to flourish in what it sees as its marine reserve. Spain said the blocks had been laid "without the necessary authorisation" in what it sees as Spanish waters, and both contravened its own environmental laws and damaged its fishing industry, because Spanish fishing nets were in danger of catching on the concrete reef blocks. The most recent spat erupted in July after Gibraltar dropped concrete blocks into the bay to start creating, it said, an artificial reef to encourage sea life to flourish in what it sees as its marine reserve. Spain said the blocks had been laid "without the necessary authorisation" in what it sees as Spanish waters, and both contravened its own environmental laws and damaged its fishing industry, because Spanish fishing nets were in danger of catching on the concrete reef blocks.
How did Spain react?How did Spain react?
Shortly after this, Spain introduced more rigorous border checks at the crossing point between Spain and Gibraltar. This led to extremely long traffic queues on the weekend of 27-28 July. Some visitors found themselves waiting at the border in six-hour queues in searing summer temperatures. The UK government summoned the Spanish Ambassador in London to complain, while Foreign Secretary William Hague personally called the Spanish foreign minister to ask him to intervene. After this, the logjam at the border eased. But then in an interview given to a Spanish newspaper, Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo suggested Spain was considering more formal border restrictions. This reignited the row.Shortly after this, Spain introduced more rigorous border checks at the crossing point between Spain and Gibraltar. This led to extremely long traffic queues on the weekend of 27-28 July. Some visitors found themselves waiting at the border in six-hour queues in searing summer temperatures. The UK government summoned the Spanish Ambassador in London to complain, while Foreign Secretary William Hague personally called the Spanish foreign minister to ask him to intervene. After this, the logjam at the border eased. But then in an interview given to a Spanish newspaper, Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo suggested Spain was considering more formal border restrictions. This reignited the row.
What new measures is Spain considering?What new measures is Spain considering?
Mr Garcia-Margallo said Spain was considering introducing a 50 euro (£43) fee to cross the border, which is at Spain's southern tip. He has also suggested Spain could close its airspace to flights heading to Gibraltar. The Spanish tax authorities could launch an investigation into property owned by around 6,000 Gibraltarians in neighbouring parts of Spain, he said, and the law could be changed so that online gambling companies operating from Gibraltar have to use Spanish servers if they want to operate in Spain, thus coming under Madrid's taxation regime. He also said Spain would stop concrete and other materials being brought in through the border for the building of the reef.Mr Garcia-Margallo said Spain was considering introducing a 50 euro (£43) fee to cross the border, which is at Spain's southern tip. He has also suggested Spain could close its airspace to flights heading to Gibraltar. The Spanish tax authorities could launch an investigation into property owned by around 6,000 Gibraltarians in neighbouring parts of Spain, he said, and the law could be changed so that online gambling companies operating from Gibraltar have to use Spanish servers if they want to operate in Spain, thus coming under Madrid's taxation regime. He also said Spain would stop concrete and other materials being brought in through the border for the building of the reef.
Why is Spain doing this?Why is Spain doing this?
The Spanish government argues that it is simply observing the law to the letter because it is no longer prepared to turn a blind eye to "irregularities" at a time when it considers Gibraltar is being unreasonable. In Britain, some have suggested that by reacting with threats such as a possible border fee, Spain is looking to divert attention from its own economic woes, or to use the possible new restrictions to give itself a bargaining chip.The Spanish government argues that it is simply observing the law to the letter because it is no longer prepared to turn a blind eye to "irregularities" at a time when it considers Gibraltar is being unreasonable. In Britain, some have suggested that by reacting with threats such as a possible border fee, Spain is looking to divert attention from its own economic woes, or to use the possible new restrictions to give itself a bargaining chip.
Is fishing the only issue vexing Spain right now?Is fishing the only issue vexing Spain right now?
No. Mr Garcia-Margallo has said the "party is over" when it comes to his country's policy in general towards Gibraltar. There is considerable traffic between Spain and the Rock, including people who cross the border daily to live and work, but Madrid says the border is being abused. Cigarette smuggling is one bugbear, as is the alleged circumventing of Spanish residency taxes.No. Mr Garcia-Margallo has said the "party is over" when it comes to his country's policy in general towards Gibraltar. There is considerable traffic between Spain and the Rock, including people who cross the border daily to live and work, but Madrid says the border is being abused. Cigarette smuggling is one bugbear, as is the alleged circumventing of Spanish residency taxes.
Spain has also accused Gibraltar of being a corporate tax haven, allowing companies and wealthy individuals to avoid paying millions. David Cameron has ordered Britain's Crown dependencies and overseas territories to get their "houses in order" over tax, but as recently as June, Gibraltar's chief minister Fabian Picardo said multimillionaire hedge fund managers should quit London for Gibraltar because it's "much cheaper", while promotional material promises they are "unlikely to be liable for corporation tax".Spain has also accused Gibraltar of being a corporate tax haven, allowing companies and wealthy individuals to avoid paying millions. David Cameron has ordered Britain's Crown dependencies and overseas territories to get their "houses in order" over tax, but as recently as June, Gibraltar's chief minister Fabian Picardo said multimillionaire hedge fund managers should quit London for Gibraltar because it's "much cheaper", while promotional material promises they are "unlikely to be liable for corporation tax".
How long-running is the dispute over Gibraltar?How long-running is the dispute over Gibraltar?
Extremely. The Rock has been fought over for centuries. First Spain battled Moorish invaders. Then it lost Gibraltar to an Anglo-Dutch force in 1704. The Spanish, despite formally ceding it to London in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, have wanted it back ever since. Under Franco, Spain cut Gibraltar off by sealing its frontier. Extremely. The Rock has been fought over for centuries. After an invasion in 711 AD, it remained under Moorish rule for more than 700 years. Spain lost Gibraltar to an Anglo-Dutch force in 1704. The Spanish, despite formally ceding it to London in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, have wanted it back ever since. Under Franco, Spain cut Gibraltar off by sealing its frontier.
And more recently?And more recently?
In 1984 the Spanish and UK governments started talks, but the process eventually collapsed over Madrid's demands that the Rock should revert to full Spanish sovereignty after 50 years of shared control. However, the border was reopened in 1985.In 1984 the Spanish and UK governments started talks, but the process eventually collapsed over Madrid's demands that the Rock should revert to full Spanish sovereignty after 50 years of shared control. However, the border was reopened in 1985.
In 2006, the governments of Spain, the UK and Gibraltar signed the Cordoba Agreement, which included deals on issues like border crossings and access for flights. It also committed them to a tripartite forum for regular talks, but in 2011, then Spanish foreign minister Trinidad Jimenez said: "On questions of sovereignty, Spain only deals with the UK." And the current Spanish foreign minister in his recent newspaper interview described the tripartite forum as "folly", implying that Madrid is no longer happy to abide by it.In 2006, the governments of Spain, the UK and Gibraltar signed the Cordoba Agreement, which included deals on issues like border crossings and access for flights. It also committed them to a tripartite forum for regular talks, but in 2011, then Spanish foreign minister Trinidad Jimenez said: "On questions of sovereignty, Spain only deals with the UK." And the current Spanish foreign minister in his recent newspaper interview described the tripartite forum as "folly", implying that Madrid is no longer happy to abide by it.
How serious is this latest row?How serious is this latest row?
Spain and Britain are both part of the European Union and collaborate on a whole host of other matters. David Cameron says he is "seriously concerned" over Spain's actions, but tensions have flared on a number of other occasions over Gibraltar, and an uneasy calm has always been restored. It is too soon to tell if this time will be any different.Spain and Britain are both part of the European Union and collaborate on a whole host of other matters. David Cameron says he is "seriously concerned" over Spain's actions, but tensions have flared on a number of other occasions over Gibraltar, and an uneasy calm has always been restored. It is too soon to tell if this time will be any different.