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| Gibraltar: UK summons Spanish ambassador | Gibraltar: UK summons Spanish ambassador |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Foreign Office says it has summoned Spain's ambassador to the UK after a Spanish ship entered waters off Gibraltar. | |
| It said the RV Ramon Margalef undertook surveying activity on 18 and 19 November for over 20 hours. | It said the RV Ramon Margalef undertook surveying activity on 18 and 19 November for over 20 hours. |
| David Lidington, the UK's Minister for Europe, said he "strongly condemned this provocative incursion". | |
| He told MPs the UK has made repeated diplomatic protests over the incursions in recent months. | |
| "When challenged by radio, the vessel responded that it was conducting survey work with the permission of the Spanish authorities and in the interests of the European Community", Mr Lidington said. | |
| "This comes only two weeks after dangerous manoeuvres by a Spanish Guardia Civil vessel in the vicinity of Royal Navy vessels in British waters put lives at risk and resulted in a minor collision". | |
| According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the waters around Gibraltar are indisputably British territorial waters, he said. | |
| The minister said Spain had increased unlawful incursions by its state vessels into UK territorial waters from around five per month to around 40 per month. | |
| "I strongly condemn this provocative incursion and urge the Spanish government to ensure that it is not repeated. We stand ready to do whatever is required to protect Gibraltar's sovereignty, economy and security," Mr Lidlington said. | |
| "We believe that it is in the interests of Spain, Gibraltar and Britain to avoid incidents such as this that damage the prospects for establishing dialogue and co-operation. | |
| "We remain confident of UK sovereignty over the whole of Gibraltar, including British Gibraltar Territorial Waters, and will respect the wishes of the people of Gibraltar." |