Gibraltar: Diplomatic and constitutional developments

This paper considers the outcome of the Trilateral Dialogue between the British, Spanish and Gibraltar Governments, which ended in Córdoba in September 2006 with agreements on a range of issues that had obstructed relations between the three parties.

It discusses the constitutional reform process that began in 2001 and the constitutional amendments agreed by the UK and Gibraltar in March 2006. Gibraltar’s pursuit of United Nations recognition of a right to self-determination is also considered.

The paper also outlines the main points of the European Court of Justice ruling which rejected Spain’s complaint about the UK granting European Parliament electoral rights to residents of Gibraltar.