Posted on 08/10/2017 9:39:34 PM PDT by Olog-hai
Spain will not set as a condition in Brexit talks that it recovers Gibraltar, its foreign minister said in a Sunday interview that could ease tensions over the disputed British territory.
Nestled on Spain’s southern tip, Gibraltar has been under British control since 1713, but Madrid has long wanted it back.
Authorities in the tiny rocky outcrop fear Spain will influence complex negotiations between the EU and Britain to leave the bloc to try and gain authority over Gibraltar.
But in an interview with Spain’s conservative daily ABC, Alfonso Dastis said he didn’t want to “jeopardize” the deal by demanding that Gibraltar change its status — a stance that Britain would likely never accept”. …
(Excerpt) Read more at thelocal.es ...
Other than symbolic of an ownership negotiated long, long ago, what does keeping the Rock of Gibraltar produce for Great Britain? Do many people reside there? Is it an observation spot?
It has a population of around 30,000 people, most of whom want to remain British. That’s the bottom line. They want to remain British. It would be a betrayal of basic democratic principles to hand them over to Spain.
Strategically, it is in a significant location in controlling access to the Mediterranean from the Atlantic and from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. Britain is no longer the power it once was, but it’s still a significant location militarily and maintaining control of it is in the interest of Britain and her closest allies. It also gives Britain a mainland European port still under its control which while not all that important at the moment, certainly could be if a United Europe or something close to it ever decided to try and restrict British trade access.
should obviously read: Strategically, it is in a significant location in controlling access to the Mediterranean from the Atlantic and to the Atlantic from the Mediterranean.
With all due respect, are you going to ask the same of the Falkland Islands too?
The majority want to stay part of the UK. It is the “European Union” who has been driving this as a wedge issue, purely for reasons of power.
Thank you for explaining. I had no idea that many people were living there. The Rock is not something that ever crosses my mind in a regular course of things. I would never pick it for a Jeopardy question.
I was in the Navy for a few years.
I recall passing it when I was on a wooden minesweeper back in 1979. We stopped in the Azores to refuel.
The Rock of Gibraltar is a grand and majestic sight to behold.
very important post strategically for Brittan if it wants to project navel force into the Mediterranean
Much like Northern Ireland and Scottish Independence are not part of the Brexit negotiating process.
In 1981, I visited Gibraltar as our ship was departing the Med. The British fleet was in, stopping on their way south to join a major exercise that would become the Falklands war. Attended a great concert in St. Michael’s cave (inside the rock.) Fish and chips at a British pub. Awesome memory!
1982.
All Spain is doing (after months ago suggesting the status of Gibraltar WOULD be part of Brexit negotiations), is admitting the idea is a non-starter. Finally, the adults in Spain’s government have acted. Now if they’d keep that tone and take Gibraltar off any diplomatic agenda for good. As far as the folks on Gibraltar are concerned, it’s settled, they’re part of Great Britain. Spain should respect that.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.