Spain and Gibraltar set for ad hoc dialogue

GIBRALTAR gave a hesitant welcome to the Spanish government’s announcement on Monday August 3 of the Spanish authorities desire to take part in “ad hoc” dialogue with their counterparts on the Rock.

The surprising announcement by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Madrid was, according to a government spokesman, due to the electoral changes that have taken place after the regional and local elections in Spain, as well as changes to the constitution of the Andalucian government and local councils. 

One such change was the election of a new Partido Popular president to the Mancomunidad de Municipios del Campo de Gibraltar, which is an entity that aims to build better bonds with the Rock. 

Additionally, a recent meeting between the mayor of La Linea, Juan Franco with Spain’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Ignacio Ybañez, also centred around Spain and Gibraltar’s somewhat rocky relationship.