Gibraltar fears sovereignty talks

Crossing the Gibraltar Spain border can take minutes - or hours

LONDON, England -- Britain and Spain are making a new attempt to solve the problem of Gibraltar's sovereignty as the issue continues to hinder EU business.

But Gibraltarians are wary of the discussions, fearing any initiative that may lead to Spain having extended influence or even sovereignty over the island.

The small island, known as The Rock, has been a flashpoint between Madrid and London since 1704 when British forces seized control of the 6.5 sq mile island at the entrance to the Mediterranean.

The future of Gibraltar, a British overseas territory, has cast a shadow across Europe with the "open skies" agreement being held up because of arguments over whether Gibraltar can be included in the pact.

Gibraltar entered the EU in 1973 with the UK but Madrid, which does not want it included in the open skies agreement, does not allow flights between The Rock and Spain.

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Spain has also ordered border guards to carry out strict searches of cars crossing into Gibraltar -- sometimes delaying tourists and business people by hours.

The UK's Europe Minister, Peter Hain, said further talks would take place later this month and hopes Gibraltar will take part in the discussions.

He said: "Britain and Spain are discussing together ways of resolving the historical conflict to bring about a better future for the people of Gibraltar.

"They have nothing to fear and everything to gain from this process. We invite the government of Gibraltar to join us at the next round of talks on November 20."

Gibraltar remains committed to staying part of Britain

In a speech last month the island's chief minister, Peter Caruana said: "We will not trade our sovereignty, nor our right to self-determination for good neighbourly relations or for respect for our EU rights.

"Both of which we are entitled in exchange for nothing. Nor can we agree to our rights and aspirations as a people being ridden roughshod over, simply to alleviate what has clearly become an inconvenience to Anglo/Spanish relations and to fluidity of EU business.

"Gibraltar does not seek, through self-determination, to sever our constitutional links with Britain still less to give up our British Sovereignty. We very much value both."