The Guardian: Future of Gibraltar at stake in Brexit negotiations
EU guidelines make clear bloc will not overrule Spain in any trade or sovereignty dispute involving British overseas territory
The EU has put the future of Gibraltar at stake in the coming Brexit negotiations, effectively backing Spain in its centuries-old dispute with the UK over the British overseas territory.
After lobbying from Spanish diplomats, the EU’s opening negotiating position for the Brexit talks presents the British government with the choice of reaching agreement with the Spaniards about Gibraltar’s future, or exposing its citizens to economic peril by pushing “the rock” outside any EU-UK trade deal.
“The union will stick up for its members, and that means Spain now,” a senior EU official said. Residents of Gibraltar, which Spain has sought to reclaim almost since it was ceded to Britain in 1713, voted 96% to remain in the EU.
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Update #1: EU offers Spain veto right over Gibraltar in Brexit talks (Reuters)
Update #2: EU Draft Guidelines say no Brexit deal can apply to Gibraltar without Spain's agreement (GBC)
Update #3: Brexit: Gibraltar angered by Spain's EU 'veto' (BBC)
WNU Editor: It looks like the fix is in.
