British negotiators defused the Gibraltar crisis this evening by conceding to Spanish demands for a written clarification on Gibraltar. It states that any future trade agreement will only apply to the Rock with Madrid’s consent.
How significant is this? 1/
How significant is this? 1/
Undoubtedly, Spain is hyping this for political reasons.
Sanchez: “Europe & U.K. have accepted the demands put forward by Spain.”
The clarification was “the most important [agreement on Gibraltar] since Utrecht Treaty of 1713,” said Josep Borrell, Spain’s foreign minister. 2/
Sanchez: “Europe & U.K. have accepted the demands put forward by Spain.”
The clarification was “the most important [agreement on Gibraltar] since Utrecht Treaty of 1713,” said Josep Borrell, Spain’s foreign minister. 2/
Sanchez’s party faces regional elections in Andalusia on December 2nd and observers interpreted the Gibraltar spat as a way of boosting his centre-left party’s approval levels before the poll.
But that doesn’t mean this statement is without significance. 3/
But that doesn’t mean this statement is without significance. 3/
The statement underlined what we already knew - Spain, like all MSs, has a veto over the future EU-UK trade agreement.
Specifically, this underlines that application of any future deal in Gibraltar will be subject to separate UK-Spain talks. Here lies more trouble for UK... 4/
Specifically, this underlines that application of any future deal in Gibraltar will be subject to separate UK-Spain talks. Here lies more trouble for UK... 4/
When Spain joined EU in 1986, it had to accept UK conditions on Gibraltar. Now UK is leaving & Spain is remaining, it is Madrid that gains more influence over EU approach.
This illustrates the paradox of power in the EU. Sometimes sovereignty pooled is sovereignty magnified. END
This illustrates the paradox of power in the EU. Sometimes sovereignty pooled is sovereignty magnified. END
