Costa de la Luz
Spain again asks the UK for explanations on Gibraltar recovery of New Flame cargo ship
By m.p.
Mar 5, 2008 - 2:35 PM

Spain has again asked Britain for explanations on the Gibraltar government’s handling of the recovery of the New Flame, the stricken cargo vessel which has been lying off Europa Point since hitting a tanker last August.

Europa Press said the request to the UK Foreign Office from Spain’s Foreign Ministry is due to an ‘unsatisfactory’ response to their previous request made on 11th February at a meeting with the UK Ambassador to Madrid, Denise Holt. The Ambassador was called to inform Madrid of the actions of the Gibraltar government after new pollution was seen on the coast of Algeciras over the weekend prior to the request. José Pons, the Foreign Ministry’s General Director for Europe and America, passed on the complaint from the Spanish government at the meeting of a ‘lack of reaction’ from the UK in regard to the New Flame.

He also called for improved communications between Gibraltar and Spanish maritime authorities, and that is a subject which is expected to be discussed at the next round of trilateral talks between Spain, the UK and Gibraltar. The UK recently said it would welcome such a meeting once Spain’s general election, which takes place this coming Sunday, is over.

The news agency also notes comments from British diplomatic sources that the UK will be keeping a close watch on Sunday’s poll, as, they say, the Partido Popular have included a change to the current format of the trilateral talks as part of their electoral manifesto. A change of government could mean Gibraltar losing its own voice and power to veto in the meetings, only taking part on matters affecting the Rock as part of the British delegation.