The chief minister of Gibraltar has suggested that Britain and Spain should share sovereignty of the Rock and said the idea should be put to the people of the colony in a referendum.
Peter Caruana, who has been in power for 14 years, made the call for the Rock to be given a similar status to that which the tiny mountain principality of Andorra had when it was jointly ruled by Spain and France, during a speech to local Spanish politicians and businessmen in Seville.
The idea of joint sovereignty to end the situation which has been a thorn in the side of British-Spanish relations for generations is not new. However, public support for such a solution from a leader of Gibraltar's own government is unprecedented.
Mr Caruana's comments follow remarks by Spain's newly appointed foreign minister, Trini Jimnez, earlier this week, in which she reiterated the Spanish government's long-held insistance that any negotiations on Gibraltar's sovereignty must be between the British and Spanish governments and not with the local administration on the Rock.
Pointing out that Gibraltar has been British for longer than the United States has existed, since it was ceded to Britain by Spain under the Treaty of Utrecht, the chief minister said that treaty should not be applied in reaching an agreement.
"In the 21st century, we cannot have a solution from the 18th century," Mr Caruana told his audience.
He added that he, personally, favoured a status similar to that which Andorra had when it was jointly ruled by Spain and France, supported by the approval of a majority of the 30,000 population of Gibraltar in a referendum.
Celebrations with the flags of Gibraltar and the United Kingdom 
Chief Minister of Gibraltar  has been discussing the possibility of the British overseas territory having joint sovereignty with Spain. He suggested that Gibraltar take an Andorra-style status.

Caruana's suggestion has caused controversy in both Gibraltar and the United Kingdom. Many people in Gibraltar have said they want to remain British and Gibraltarian. The media in Gibraltar has also spoken out against the move using the phrase "Give Spain an inch and they will take a mile!" His decision has come as a surprise; in 2002 Caruana announced a  against joint sovereignty. If the plan goes ahead, another referendum would be held.

Andorra received their joint sovereignty in 1993. The move forced the European Union to change its constitution. Andorra has a joint deal with Spain and France.

Some Spanish politicians are worrying that the suggestion will be too heavily looked into during the 2012 Spanish general election. , Spain's minister for foreign affairs, has asked that it not be a part of their election agenda.

Liberal member Dr Joseph Garcia also commented on the event. He said “The Spanish claim to Gibraltar has always featured to a greater or lesser extent in every general election in Gibraltar and the next ones are not likely to be any different.”

He added that “There is serious concern on the Rock at the number and scale of Spanish incursions into Gibraltar's territorial sea. We had pointed out that the Guardia Civil were becoming increasingly reckless and cavalier in their intrusions into Gibraltar's waters. This was seen at the end of last year when they entered the Port of Gibraltar and actually landed on Gibraltar soil. There was also another extremely serious incursion in September of this year where the Guardia Civil removed a suspect who was about to be arrested by the  inside our territorial waters. They have shown a complete lack of respect for British sovereignty, jurisdiction and control over Gibraltar's territorial sea and it is imperative that these incursions cease forthwith before the matter escalates even further. Spain must understand that under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Gibraltar is legally entitled to claim territorial waters of its own.”