UK ‘steadfastly committed’ to Gibraltar

Britain is “steadfast” in its commitment to Gibraltar and will work with the territory on the southern tip of Spain to secure the best possible outcome from Brexit talks, British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday.
Downing Street said May reiterated that Britain “remains steadfastly committed” to its support for Gibraltar, its people and its economy, in a call with Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo.
British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday stressed that Gibraltar “will not be bargained away” during Brexit negotiations after the EU said Spain should have a say on whether any post-Brexit deal applies to “the Rock.”
“Gibraltar is not for sale. Gibraltar cannot be traded. Gibraltar will not be bargained away,” Johnson wrote in the Sunday Telegraph. The EU proposal states that no agreement between the EU and Britain can apply to the overseas territory of Gibraltar without agreement between Britain and Spain.
This means that Madrid could potentially block Gibraltar’s access to any trade deal Britain negotiates with the EU, opposition politicians in “the Rock” claim.
The British overseas territory fears that Madrid will seek sovereignty over “the Rock.”
Johnson insisted that the policy of the government “remains fixed and firm. The sovereignty of Gibraltar cannot be changed without the express consent of the UK and the people of Gibraltar.”
“The status of Gibraltar has been unchanged since 1713. It made no difference when the UK joined the Common Market in 1973 and when Spain was not yet a member. It should make no difference today.”
On Friday, Gibraltar’s leader Fabian Picardo hit out at the EU proposal, branding it “unnecessary” and “discriminatory.”
“This is a disgraceful attempt by Spain to manipulate the European Council for its own, narrow, political interests,” Picardo said in a statement. Gibraltarians want to stay British, as demonstrated in 2002 when they rejected a referendum on shared sovereignty with Spain.
Separately, Spain’s foreign minister said his country would not “initially” veto an attempt by an independent Scotland to join the EU.
Spain has long been seen as an obstacle to an independent Scotland joining the EU to deter separatists in some of its own regions.
“Initially, I don’t think we would block it,” Alfonso Dastis said in an interview. However, he added Scotland would leave the EU with Britain, “the rest we will see.” He also said Spain did not welcome fragmentation of the European family.
“Having said that, if, in application of its laws, the outcome of that process is a division of the United Kingdom, any part of the United Kingdom that becomes a state and wants to join the EU will have to apply. And follow the steps that are stipulated.”

Source: Arab News