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| Gibraltar visit for Royal Navy warship is routine, says MoD | Gibraltar visit for Royal Navy warship is routine, says MoD |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A Royal Navy warship is to pay a "routine" visit to Gibraltar, the UK government says amid a continuing row with Spain over border checks. | |
| Relations between the UK and Spain have deteriorated in recent weeks. | Relations between the UK and Spain have deteriorated in recent weeks. |
| But the Ministry of Defence said the visit was "long-planned" and one of many "regular and routine deployments". | But the Ministry of Defence said the visit was "long-planned" and one of many "regular and routine deployments". |
| HMS Westminster, accompanied by two auxiliary ships, makes up part of a task force which is destined for the Middle East. | HMS Westminster, accompanied by two auxiliary ships, makes up part of a task force which is destined for the Middle East. |
| Artificial reef | Artificial reef |
| Other warships in the task force will visit ports in Portugal, Spain, Turkey, and Malta. | Other warships in the task force will visit ports in Portugal, Spain, Turkey, and Malta. |
| "Gibraltar is a strategic base for UK Defence and as such Royal Navy ships visit its waters throughout the year as part of a range of regular and routine deployments," an MoD spokesman said. | "Gibraltar is a strategic base for UK Defence and as such Royal Navy ships visit its waters throughout the year as part of a range of regular and routine deployments," an MoD spokesman said. |
| On Wednesday, a spokesman said UK Prime Minister David Cameron had raised "serious concerns" with his Spanish counterpart Mariano Rajoy over deteriorating diplomatic relations between the two countries. | On Wednesday, a spokesman said UK Prime Minister David Cameron had raised "serious concerns" with his Spanish counterpart Mariano Rajoy over deteriorating diplomatic relations between the two countries. |
| The call followed concerns over increased vehicle checks at the border between Spain and Gibraltar causing major delays for tourists and residents. | The call followed concerns over increased vehicle checks at the border between Spain and Gibraltar causing major delays for tourists and residents. |
| And the Spanish foreign minister has reportedly mooted bringing in a new 50 euro (£43) fee on every vehicle entering or leaving the British territory. | And the Spanish foreign minister has reportedly mooted bringing in a new 50 euro (£43) fee on every vehicle entering or leaving the British territory. |
| The checks followed a decision by Gibraltar to drop 70 concrete blocks into the sea next to its territory, which Gibraltarian authorities said would create an artificial reef and encourage sea life to flourish. | The checks followed a decision by Gibraltar to drop 70 concrete blocks into the sea next to its territory, which Gibraltarian authorities said would create an artificial reef and encourage sea life to flourish. |
| But the Spanish government has accused Gibraltar of laying the blocks "without the necessary authorisation" in "waters that are not theirs", contravening environmental laws and damaging Spain's fishing industry. | But the Spanish government has accused Gibraltar of laying the blocks "without the necessary authorisation" in "waters that are not theirs", contravening environmental laws and damaging Spain's fishing industry. |