Gibraltar leader appeals for better relations with Spain

The Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo on Tuesday appealed for better relations between Gibraltar and Spain.

Gibraltar has long been a bone of contention between Spain and Britain.

The conflict has bubbled on and off ever since Gibraltar was ceded to Britain in the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, and are currently at a low point after the Spanish government increased frontier controls, at times provoking queues of several hours for those wishing to enter or depart Gibraltar.

That situation made Picardo's speech in the Spanish capital city of Madrid, which was attended by the press and representatives of Spanish political parties especially significant.

In a 30-minute dialogue titled 'The Reality of Gibraltar and the Opportunities it Offers,' Picardo, who was making his first official speech in the Spanish capital, highlighted Gibraltar's importance to the economy of the region.

He explained that in 2013, Spanish workers from the neighboring region of the 'Campo de Gibraltar,' which contains the city of La Linea de la Concepcion, had earned 186 million pounds (282 million U.S. dollars), which was 47 percent more than in 2007, despite the economic crisis.

"I have the maximum respect for the Spanish authorities, despite our different point of view," said Picardo, who pointed to the United States' decision to re-open links with Cuba as the way to improve bilateral relations.

"Come to Gibraltar, it is more than just an annoying rock at the end of the peninsular or an unpleasant headline on a summer day with no other news," he said.

There were a small number of demonstrators outside of the Palace Hotel where Picardo made his speech, but the event passed without incident. Endit