Sep 16 - UK Government 'Cannot Stop Repeated Incursions' - Claims No.6
This weekend, incursions by the Guardia Civil into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters once more saw Spanish officials exercise jurisdiction over Gibraltarian pleasure craft. Following the Convent’s statement on the matter yesterday afternoon, condemning the move, the Government is determined that these actions are illegal, and contrary to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
It is believed that the Guardia Civil suspected that the occupants of the vessel had been fishing for tuna in Spanish waters. An RGP investigation is still ongoing. A No.6 notice on the matter, said that the ‘allegations of fishing in Spanish waters does not in any way condone the behaviour of the Spanish agents who should have contacted the Royal Gibraltar Police for assistance, via the established Mutual Legal Assistance co- operation frameworks, as opposed to trying to take the law into their own hands in an area of sea where Spain has absolutely no jurisdiction, no right to seek to exercise control and zero sovereignty.’
The Government went on to say that it does, along with the UK, strongly support maritime cooperation between the respective agencies in and around the Strait of Gibraltar, with regards to law enforcement and maritime safety. They believe that any co-operation must be based on the principle of respect for the sovereignty of BGTW.
A further illegal incursion saw Spanish Warship the Infanta Cristina travel through BGTW yesterday. When challenged the vessel claimed to be in Spanish Territorial Waters. Commenting on the incident, No.6 said, ‘Although any Spanish incursions are a violation of sovereignty they do not create a threat to it. The Spanish Government must have advice telling them that such actions do not weaken or undermine the international legal basis for British sovereignty over Gibraltar and British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. Indeed, retired Spanish diplomats have revealed that they are entirely aware of the futility of their claims and actions in respect of BGTW.
‘The Government of the United Kingdom clearly cannot stop these repeated and ultimately futile challenges to British Sovereignty and it is right that it should protest each and every one of them at a diplomatic level to ensure they are thereby deprived of any cumulative legal effect. The desire of people in Gibraltar however is to see the Spanish authorities somehow dissuaded from acting in such manner in the future. In this respect, we remain in constant communication with HM Government of the United Kingdom on these issues.’
