Madrid, London in fresh talks on The Rock

20 May 2004

LONDON – Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos and his British counterpart Jack Straw met for talks Thursday to “resume and promote” dialogue on Gibraltar.

Moratinos met Straw in London and said he was convinced it would be possible “to progress in the negotiating process to the benefit of all parties involved.”

At an European Union meeting in Luxemburg last month, the two diplomats expressed willingness to resume negotiations on Spain’s claims to Gibraltar, a British crown colony on the southern coast of the Iberian Peninsula.

Moratinos said at the time that the issue would be discussed at the London meeting “if there is a possibility of resuming the process or another mechanism that would logically allow us to continue to defend Spanish rights and interests in Gibraltar.”

Britain took control of the territory in 1704 during the War of the Spanish Succession.

Spain has made repeated claims to regain the piece of land that is home to some 32,000 people.

Residents on The Rock recently indicated they wish to remain under British rule by voting back the head of government, Peter Caruanas, who is committed to staying under London’s rule.

Moratinos also said that he wanted to talk to Straw about other issues including Iraq and terrorism.

[Copyright EFE with Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news