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| Both royal couples yesterday |
MADRID (Agencies) Don Felipe, Prince of Asturias and heir to the Spanish throne, asked for progress in the contentious question of Gibraltar at the speeches after last night's gala dinner for Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, who are on their first official visit to Spain. Don Felipe urged that "our authorities advance in the historical bilateral questions that are still pending. In his speech, the Spanish Prince also pleaded for Spain and Britain to explore "new ways to cooperate in a time of crises and challenges", making special mention of the sea, which is one aspect of bilateral negotiations that remains stuck. The heir to the British throne, however, made no direct mention of Gibraltar, although he did try out a few words in Spanish at the beginning of his speech, thanking Don Felipe for "his kind words.">
Prince Charles referred to bilateral relations between Spain and Britain as "the oldest, deepest ... and intense that exist between two nations." He also said that although the past of both countries is divided by "wars, religion and economic rivalry", there has never been anything other than "mutual respect and admiration."
Charles pointed to the role played by Spanish business in Britain, such as Ferrovial, Iberdrola and Telefónica, which have created employment for "several thousand Britons". He urged British and Spanish companies to continue with their commitment to environmental protection and social responsibility.
Aside from his reference to Gibralytar, the Prince of Asturias said that bilateral relations are "presently full of vitality (and) potential for the future ... born of "a solid past," and proven by the fact that Spain was the first country ever to have a permanent Embassy in London, in 1485.
Speculation that the British couple would be making a stop at Gibraltar was rife for a couple of weeks, until it was confirmed that this would not be happening. The Foreign Office never said they would, and such a visit did not appear in Prince Charles's schedule, but the Government of Gibraltar found it necessary to issue a press release to nthat effect.
It is also true that Chief Minister Peter Caruana and his wife have been invited to the wedding of Prince William on April 29.
Spain has never looked upon royal visits to the Rock with anything but displeasure. Indeed, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a complaint when Princess Anne came to Gibraltar to open a social centre recently. Not to mention the 'caffuffle' caused by Prince Charles and Princess Diana's honeymoon stop at the Rock in 1981. King Juan Carlos refused (probably much to his chagrin) to attend that wedding because of it.
Prince Charles referred to bilateral relations between Spain and Britain as "the oldest, deepest ... and intense that exist between two nations." He also said that although the past of both countries is divided by "wars, religion and economic rivalry", there has never been anything other than "mutual respect and admiration."
Charles pointed to the role played by Spanish business in Britain, such as Ferrovial, Iberdrola and Telefónica, which have created employment for "several thousand Britons". He urged British and Spanish companies to continue with their commitment to environmental protection and social responsibility.
Aside from his reference to Gibralytar, the Prince of Asturias said that bilateral relations are "presently full of vitality (and) potential for the future ... born of "a solid past," and proven by the fact that Spain was the first country ever to have a permanent Embassy in London, in 1485.
Speculation that the British couple would be making a stop at Gibraltar was rife for a couple of weeks, until it was confirmed that this would not be happening. The Foreign Office never said they would, and such a visit did not appear in Prince Charles's schedule, but the Government of Gibraltar found it necessary to issue a press release to nthat effect.
It is also true that Chief Minister Peter Caruana and his wife have been invited to the wedding of Prince William on April 29.
Spain has never looked upon royal visits to the Rock with anything but displeasure. Indeed, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a complaint when Princess Anne came to Gibraltar to open a social centre recently. Not to mention the 'caffuffle' caused by Prince Charles and Princess Diana's honeymoon stop at the Rock in 1981. King Juan Carlos refused (probably much to his chagrin) to attend that wedding because of it.
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