binding referendum. "The Spanish government wants .... to gain the confidence of Gibraltarian citizens because at the end of negotiations, recovering the territory alone would not be sufficient if we didn't win the friendship ... of the people," Moratinos said. The climate of negotiations changed when Socialists came to power in Spain in April after eight years of conservative rule. Spain has already earned some goodwill by agreeing to let regional authorities co-operate with Gibraltar on local projects while leaving the sovereignty issues aside. Spain also lifted a ban on cruise ships going directly from the colony to Spanish ports and agreed to let Gibraltar-bound flights divert to Spanish airports in case of emergencies.
