(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) The British government on Wednesday said it had summoned the Spanish ambassador after two Spanish ships sailed into its territorial waters off Gibraltar, a British overseas territory claimed by Spain.
David Lidington, Britain's Minister for Europe, said the activities of the Spanish research vessel were "unlawful" and the manoeuvring of an accompanying Guardia Civil ship presented a "significant safety concern".
"Her Majesty's government takes a grave view of any attempt by Spain to exert authority or control within British Gibraltar Territorial Waters and considers such incursions as a violation of our sovereignty," said Lidington. It is the fourth time Britain has summoned the ambassador over Gibraltar since 2011, when the current Spanish government took office, German Press Agency dpa reported.
The 6.8-kilometres-square piece of land on the southern tip of Spain has been under British control since 1713, and is a major bone of contention between the two countries. Relations worsened last year when Gibraltar built an artificial reef in its waters - it says the concrete blocks are intended to support marine wildlife but Spain says it disrupts fishing and tightened border controls in response
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