Brexit news: EU negotiator Barnier backs Spain's bid to snatch back Gibraltar
GIBRALTAR is casting a long shadow over Brexit negotiations – with EU negotiator Michel Barnier appearing to back Spain's bid to swipe back the Rock.
GETTY
Brexit secretary Mr Davis was clear when addressing the issue of future arrangements for the British colony once the UK quits the bloc next year.
He started unequivocally that the new deal definitely included Gibraltar, adding: “We are having very constructive negotiations with Span and these will continue.”
Related articles
GETTY
But his EU counterpart Mr Barnier was far less emphatic.
While Mr Barnier agreed Gibraltar was in the “territorial scope” of the withdrawal agreement, he stressed that “the result of the negotiations between Britain and Spain would be fundamental to the agreement we are talking about”.
Mr Barnier pointed out that all other EU member states had indicated that their position on the issue of Gibraltar “was in total solidarity with the Spanish Government”.
GETTY
Gibraltar has been a British Colony since the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, and it has remained such ever since, despite unsuccessful attempts by Spain to take it back.
The issue has clouded British-Spanish relations for decades, because Spain asserts a claim to the territory.
However, Gibraltarians have overwhelmingly rejected proposals for Spanish sovereignty in two referenda, one in 1967 a second in 2002.
Under the Gibraltar constitution of 2006, Gibraltar governs its own affairs.
However, some powers, such as defence and foreign relations, remain the responsibility of the British government.