Dispute over Gibraltar following agreement on UK withdrawal from the European Union

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Author (Corporate)
Publication Date November 2018
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Summary:

Reports of the concerns shown by Spain in late November 2018 over the impact of a draft agreement regarding the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union on the status of Gibraltar and related dispute between the two countries.

Further information:

The deal includes a clause which would ensure that Gibraltar would be covered by a potential future trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union. This was reportedly unknown to Spanish authorities, which had engaged in bilateral (separate) negotiations with the UK regarding Brexit and the territory. The Spanish cabinet argued that under those terms, the trade agreement could apply to Gibraltar without the prior consent of Spain.

On 24 November, an agreement was reportedly reached between the two sides on this issue, following threats that Spain would attempt to block the draft agreement reached by EU and UK negotiators unless further assurances were provided on the role attributed to Spanish authorities on the future of Gibraltar. This would include a bilateral negotiation between Spain and the United Kingdom, leaving the territory outside the scope of the agreements established between the EU and the UK.

The issue overshadowed the days before a special summit of the European Council (EU27 format), designed to endorse the withdrawal agreement and a political declaration on the post-Brexit EU-UK relationship.

Related Links
Commentary and Analysis
New Statesman, 24.11.18: Theresa May hasn't sold out Gibraltar. The Brexit vote did that https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2018/11/theresa-may-hasnt-sold-out-gibraltar-brexit-vote-did
BBC News, 23.11.18: Gibraltar: What's it got to do with Brexit? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-46316965
The Scotsman, 26.11.18: Spain has taught UK lesson over Gibraltar Brexit panic https://www.scotsman.com/news/brian-monteith-spain-has-taught-uk-lesson-over-gibraltar-brexit-panic-1-4834874
The Guardian view on May’s Brexit deal: a sobering moment for Britain https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/25/the-guardian-view-on-mays-brexit-deal-a-sobering-moment-for-britain
Euro|topics, November 2018: Row over Gibraltar: Brexit deal rescued https://www.eurotopics.net/en/210317/

News
The Guardian, 22.11.18: Spain accuses UK of treachery over Gibraltar Brexit deal https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/22/spain-accuses-uk-of-treachery-over-gibraltar-brexit-deal
RTÉ News, 25.11.18: Spain to seek talks on joint sovereignty of Gibraltar https://www.rte.ie/news/brexit/2018/1125/1013232-gibraltar-brexit/
El País, 26.11.18: Spanish PM: 'With Brexit we all lose, but on Gibraltar, Spain wins' https://elpais.com/elpais/2018/11/26/inenglish/1543222571_685671.html
Gibraltar Chronicle, 26.11.18: UK stands firm with Gibraltar as EU approves Brexit divorce deal http://chronicle.gi/2018/11/uk-takes-firm-stance-gibraltar-eu-approves-brexit-divorce-deal/
Reuters, 25.11.18: Spain revives call for shared control over Gibraltar after Brexit https://www.reuters.com/articleidUSKCN1NU0GW
The Independent, 25.11.18: Theresa May accused of ‘caving in’ over Gibraltar to pave way for crunch EU summit https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-latest-theresa-may-gibraltar-spain-summit-brussels-withdrawal-agreement-a8650346.html
Euronews, 25.11.18: Spain Spain's prime minister says UK's Brexit deal opens door on Gibraltar https://www.euronews.com/2018/11/25/spain-s-prime-minister-says-uk-s-brexit-deal-opens-door-on-gibraltar
The Guardian, 24.11.18: Brexit: May gives way over Gibraltar after Spain's 'veto' threat https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/nov/24/brexit-may-gives-way-over-gibraltar-after-spains-veto-threat
CNN, 25.11.18: UK and Spain reach agreement over Gibraltar, paving way for Brexit deal https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/24/uk/may-brussels-brexit-gbr-intl/
EurActiv, 24.11.18: Spain strikes last-minute deal on Gibraltar and unlocks Brexit deal https://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/news/spain-strikes-last-minute-deal-on-gibraltar-and-unlocks-brexit-deal/

ESO Records
Brexit – The United Kingdom and the European Union [After the Referendum] https://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

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Record URL https://www.europeansources.info/record/?p=513646