Spain tries to quell Gibraltar fears

Last week's protest was attended by thousands

Residents of Gibraltar have nothing to fear from joint sovereignty with Spain, the Spanish foreign minister has said in an open letter to them.

Josep Pique said the Gibraltarians should stop resisting change, describing the territory's colonial status as "unsustainable".

His comments come a week after most of the territory's 30,000 population took part in a street protest against the idea of shared sovereignty.

(Spain's claim is) perfectly compatible with the interests of the Gibraltarians as free citizens in a democratic system

Josep Pique
Spanish Foreign Minister

Mr Pique called on the residents to join the process of talks which is under way between the Spanish and UK Governments.

The dispute over Gibraltar was "anachronistic", he said, and should be overcome.

His letter, published in the daily newspaper Gibraltar Chronicle, said Spain's claim to sovereignty over the territory was "perfectly compatible with the interests of the Gibraltarians as free citizens in a democratic system".

Spain was committed to preserving the colony's way of life, he said, and agreement would pave the way to prosperity.

Gibraltarians have made their feelings clear

The chief minister of Gibraltar, Peter Caruana, has refused to take part in discussions on the territory's future.

But Mr Pique said he hoped Mr Caruana would reconsider his position, and asked Gibraltarians to resist "intransigent attitudes".

The next round of talks between the two governments is due to take place next month in Spain.

The row over Gibraltar's status has rumbled on for centuries.

Spain ceded Gibraltar to Britain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht and has wanted it back ever since.

The UK Government has assured Gibraltarians that any change will have to be acepted in a referendum.