The United Kingdom has Military maneuvers In the waters near Gibraltar, an area whose sovereignty is disputed with Spain. The naval operations carried out by the Royal Navy have created a new flashpoint for diplomatic tension between the two countries. The choice of this scenario, where an ambitious urban development project is also being developed, has once again raised alarm bells about the recurring disputes surrounding these waters.
This Monday, three boats from Royal Navy The British conducted maneuvers. High speed and blank shots In a large maritime area east of Gibraltar, an area over which the Spanish government claims sovereignty.
The maneuvers, which are part of an exercise known as Surface Exercise (SURFEX), included: Two patrol carsThe HMS Dagger and HMS Cutlass, as well as the semi-rigid Pacific 24 RHIB, are known for their speed and versatility. The British Armed Forces regularly conduct these types of exercises in the region, which remains a constant source of friction between the UK and Spain.
One of the ships taking part, HMS Dagger, had been involved in a previous incident with the Spanish Navy. On the Tuesday before the exercise, the British ship harassed the Spanish patrol boat HMS Rayo (P-42) when it was in the same area. The Royal Navy responded to what the UK and Gibraltar consider to be a Penetrate its watersEscorting the Spanish ship out of the area.
A spokesman for the British Governor’s Office in Gibraltar said that this type of move by Spain represents “Violation of UK sovereigntyThese confrontations are not unusual, since Spain does not recognize British sovereignty over these waters, as they are not included in the concessions established by the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713.
The controversial mega-urban project
The area where the military maneuvers took place coincides with the location of A Controversial urban project Gibraltar was developing. The project includes the construction of a marina, a hotel, approximately 1,300 homes, 2,500 apartments and commercial facilities.
As The Objective reported, the overall project, run by TNG Global, worth £900 million, has been the subject of ongoing protests by the Spanish government, which considers the work to be violation both Treaty of Utrecht Such as European and international regulations on this matter. Moreover, environmental organizations such as Verdemar have denounced that urban development is endangering protected species.
In this context, British military manoeuvres, which took place amidst these works, only exacerbated the situation. The coincidence of military exercises with construction work was seen as a provocation and reassertion of british sovereignty On an area whose ownership is disputed by Spain.
Request for official response
The controversy generated by these manoeuvres and the urban project has reached the Spanish Senate. The senator from the Popular Party, José Ignacio Landaluce, has asked the government several questions about the measures being taken to Stop activities Filling Gibraltar.
Landaluce questioned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by José Manuel Albares, about Whether any formal protest has been lodged At the international level, these measures are considered to be a territorial expansion into Spanish waters that violates both the Utrecht Treaty and European and international legislation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Spain had arrived Protest constantly Due to the coastal modifications made by Gibraltar in waters it considers its own. These protests, the ministry said, have been made each time such incidents have occurred and will continue through the relevant diplomatic channels.
Tensions over Gibraltar are not new, and have intensified in recent years as a result of the British colony’s territorial expansion. Spain views military exercises, such as the recent one, as a measure reassertion of british sovereignty over an area it claims as its own, which has led to repeated exchanges of diplomatic protests between the two countries.
“Subtly charming bacon junkie. Infuriatingly humble beer trailblazer. Introvert. Evil reader. Hipster-friendly creator.”