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The sovereignty of Gibraltar has become a hot topic after Spain lobbied to have the British overseas territory included in Brexit negotiations. A draft document on the EU’s strategy said no agreement on the bloc's future relationship with the UK would apply to Gibraltar without Spain's consent.
The territory was ceded to Britain in 1713 but issues of sovereignty have remained ever since. These questions were raised again following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union. Though Spain seems to have acquired control over Gibraltar’s fate, its First Minister Fabian Picardo is quick to play down the significance.
March 20, 1704, the raising of the siege of Gibraltar by Sir John Leake
“It is true that many of us did not expect the council would avail Spain of an ally in the process of confecting the shopping list of issues to put to the United Kingdom. But I think it has just been put on the shopping list I don’t think this is something that is going to survive the negotiation,” said Picardo.
One of the key issues for the UK's future prime minister will be Brexit negotiations with the European Union. Ahead of the general election, all of the key political parties have pledged to protect Gibraltar’s sovereignty.
However, Spain’s former foreign minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo believes Brexit is a game-changer, raising the possibility of joint sovereignty.
“If you want to be part of the European Union and the common market and so on, you have to have a member state which is responsible for the foreign affairs of Gibraltar. So it is for the Gibraltans to decide either you want to be completely isolated or you want to be part of the European Union and what we are offering them is a smart and generous offer,” said Margallo.
Despite the dispute, Spain’s current foreign minister Alfonso Dastis has called for calm ahead of negotiations.
The uncertainty over Brexit also has important business implications for Gibraltar. If a favorable deal with the European Union cannot be reached, Gibraltar runs the risk of being cut off from Spain and isolated from the rest of Europe.
Brexit negotiations will be the key issue for whoever wins the UK election. And Gibraltar’s message to all parties is as clear as Fabian Picardo put it: “Stand by the rock. Voters in the UK will have something to say if the political parties in the UK suggest that they are not going to stand by the rock.”
(CGTN)
