BHarwana
MODERATOR
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2016
- Messages
- 24,827
- Reaction score
- 20
- Country
- Location
The Spanish Infanta Cristina was spotted off the coast of The Rock just after 9am this morning.
The tiny HMS Scimitar, which protects the British territory, acted fast to force the ship away — and the Navy confirmed no further action was taken.
It's the second time the Royal Navy has intercepted Spanish ships on the coast after entering Brit waters "illegally".
Tensions between the nations are bubbling under the surface over fears Spain could use Gibraltar as a bargaining chip in the Brexit trade negotiations.
The Gibraltar government said on Twitter: "Another Illegal incursion into #British #Gibraltar Territorial Waters by Spanish Navy ship Infanta Cristina today."
But a spokesman for Spain's foreign ministry said the country does not recognise the waters as belonging to Gibraltar.
DM PARODY
INCURSION: The Royal Navy chases a Spanish warship out of waters near Gibraltar again
He told MailOnline: "An illegal incursion, no, because for us it is the utilisation of our waters.
"Spain does not recognize other rights and situations belonging to Great Britain in the maritime spaces that are not included in Article 10 of the Treaty of Utrecht."
Clashes in the water between Gibraltar and Spain are not uncommon, but tensions have escalated over the past few weeks.
An EU draft paper revealed any EU-UK trade deal for Gibraltar would have to be agreed by Britain and Spain.
The news angered locals in Gibraltar who consider themselves British and have vowed to fight off any bids by Spain to regain control of the country.
Former Tory leader Lord Michael Howard hinted Britain could go to war over the British territory, likening it to when Margaret Thatcher defended the Falklands.
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/lat...ers-royal-navy-brexit-negociations-trade-deal
@waz any light on the issue.
The tiny HMS Scimitar, which protects the British territory, acted fast to force the ship away — and the Navy confirmed no further action was taken.
It's the second time the Royal Navy has intercepted Spanish ships on the coast after entering Brit waters "illegally".
Tensions between the nations are bubbling under the surface over fears Spain could use Gibraltar as a bargaining chip in the Brexit trade negotiations.
The Gibraltar government said on Twitter: "Another Illegal incursion into #British #Gibraltar Territorial Waters by Spanish Navy ship Infanta Cristina today."
But a spokesman for Spain's foreign ministry said the country does not recognise the waters as belonging to Gibraltar.
INCURSION: The Royal Navy chases a Spanish warship out of waters near Gibraltar again
He told MailOnline: "An illegal incursion, no, because for us it is the utilisation of our waters.
"Spain does not recognize other rights and situations belonging to Great Britain in the maritime spaces that are not included in Article 10 of the Treaty of Utrecht."
Clashes in the water between Gibraltar and Spain are not uncommon, but tensions have escalated over the past few weeks.
An EU draft paper revealed any EU-UK trade deal for Gibraltar would have to be agreed by Britain and Spain.
The news angered locals in Gibraltar who consider themselves British and have vowed to fight off any bids by Spain to regain control of the country.
Former Tory leader Lord Michael Howard hinted Britain could go to war over the British territory, likening it to when Margaret Thatcher defended the Falklands.
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/lat...ers-royal-navy-brexit-negociations-trade-deal
@waz any light on the issue.
