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Will Gibraltar give in to Spanish pressure?
Fishermen say they have been fishing.
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Ahead of today's planned meeting between chief minister Fabian Picardo and the La Linea mayor Gemma Araujo, Spanish press saying that Picardo is to offer cooperation formulae to solve the problems with the Spanish fishermen. The Spanish news agency Europa Press is quoting sources in Picardo's office.
This comes at a time of increasing tension, with Spain creating long queues at the Gibraltar frontier to apply pressure. Interference of this kind is contrary to the principles of freedom of movement in the European Union.
While Picardo adopts what is seen as an accommodating line, there has been rising tension in sectors in Gibraltar, with members of the public taking a tough line against Spain's anti-Gibraltar attitude.
There was a flurry of activity last night when a number of Spanish fishing boats were seen on their way to Gibraltar where law enforcement vessels sailed in the area.
However, the Spanish are claiming that at around 5am today, Spanish fishing boats were able to fish without the Gibraltar authorities doing anything about it.
A representative of the Spanish fisheries ministry held a meeting with Spanish fishermen yesterday and urged them to go out fishing in the prohibited areas near Gibraltar.
There is concern that Gibraltar might end up making concessions under pressure, which would signal to Spain that they can achieve whatever they want by using such tactics against Gibraltar.
It remains to be seen what happens at today's meeting, which will include a delegation of fishermen.
22-05-12
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