Gibraltar in the context of Brexit negotiations

Author (Corporate)
Publication Date 2016-
Content Type

Summary:

Reports and analyses on the negotiations relating to the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union when it comes to Gibraltar, its status and the overall post-Brexit situation of this territory.

Further information:

Gibraltar was ceded to the British Crown by the Spanish Crown in 1713 and has remained under British sovereignty since that time. Spain tried to recapture Gibraltar by military force in the 18th century and has maintained a political and diplomatic campaign to restore Gibraltar to Spanish sovereignty to the present day. The territory joined the EU in 1973 as an external European territory of the UK, and Spain became a full member of the EU in 1986. Gibraltar was exempted from the Customs Union and certain other provisions, but has otherwise enjoyed full access to the Single Market. Gibraltar did not join the Schengen group.

Gibraltar voted overwhelmingly to remain in the European Union as a result of the referendum held on the United Kingdom's membership. The negotiating guidelines put forward by the European Council stated that any agreement between the EU and UK would only apply to Gibraltar following a bilateral agreement between the UK and Spain. As negotiations unfolded, there were concerns the Spanish government could use this veto power as a lever to obtain concessions over the sovereignty of the territory. An agreement on the post-Brexit status of Gibraltar was eventually reached on 25 November 2018, following a last-minute dispute.

The United Kingdom and Spain concluded on 29 November 2018 a set of Memoranda of Understanding on Gibraltar, supporting the related protocol which is featured on the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement. A Concordat was also published stating Memoranda and the Withdrawal Agreement’s Protocol on Gibraltar would be implemented in accordance with the Constitution of Gibraltar.
Related Links
Official
Government of Gibraltar: Press Release, 07.12.16: UK and Gibraltar prepare for Brexit negotiations https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/new/sites/default/files/press/2016/Press%20Releases/698-2016.pdf
Government of Gibraltar: Press Release, 09.12.16: Chief Minister to address House of Lords Select Committee on European Union https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/new/sites/default/files/press/2016/Press%20Releases/702-2016.pdf
Government of Gibraltar: Press Release, 01.03.17: Positive Engagement on Brexit Matters between Gibraltar and UK https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/new/sites/default/files/press/2017/Press%20Releases/125-2017.pdf
UK Government: Press Release, 08.03.18: Gibraltar and UK Government agree measures to ensure strong relationship continues https://www.gov.uk/government/news/gibraltar-and-uk-government-agree-measures-to-ensure-strong-relationship-continues
UK Parliament: House of Lords: News, 28.03.18: Brexit: Gibraltar - Lords EU Committee presses Government for four key commitments http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/eu-select-committee-/news-parliament-2017/letter-brexit-gibraltar-follow-up/
UK Government: Department for Exiting the European Union: Press Release, 05.06.18: Joint Ministerial Council (Gibraltar EU Negotiations) 5 June 2018 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-ministerial-council-gibraltar-eu-negotiations-5-june-2018
UK Government: Secretary of State meeting with Chief Minister of Gibraltar, 26 September 2018 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/secretary-of-state-meeting-with-chief-minister-of-gibraltar-26-september-2018
Government of Gibraltar: Press Release, 01.10.18: Success for Team Gibraltar at Conservative Party Conference https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/new/sites/default/files/press/2018/Press%20Releases/597-2018.pdf
UK Parliament: House of Lords: EU Committee, 23.10.18: Brexit: Gibraltar. Discussion with Hon Fabian Picardo, Chief Minister, HM Government of Gibraltar; Michael Llamas QC, Attorney-General, HM Government of Gibraltar http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/european-union-committee/brexit-gibraltar/oral/92046.html
Government of Gibraltar: Press Release, 28.09.16: Garcia briefs German pro-Europe group on effects of Brexit https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/new/sites/default/files/press/2016/Press%20Releases/515-2016.pdf
Government of Gibraltar: Press Release, 06.10.16: No way, Jose https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/new/sites/default/files/press/2016/Press%20Releases/536-2016.pdf
Government of Gibraltar: Press Release, 12.10.16: Chief Minister Addresses Brussels Think Tank https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/new/sites/default/files/press/2016/Press%20Releases/558-2016.pdf
Government of Gibraltar: Press Release, 20.07.16: Government commence detailed assessment of Gibraltar’s EU position https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/new/sites/default/files/press/2016/Press%20Releases/388-2016.pdf
Government of Gibraltar: Press Release, 03.08.16: Chief Minister Meets New Minister for Europe https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/new/sites/default/files/press/2016/Press%20Releases/404-2016.pdf
Government of Gibraltar: Press Release, 15.08.16: Select Committee on the EU https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/new/sites/default/files/press/2016/Press%20Releases/419-2016.pdf
Government of Gibraltar: Press Release, 18.07.16: Chief Minister meets new Foreign Secretary Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP & Toast: 'British Gibraltar' https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/new/sites/default/files/press/2016/Press%20Releases/376-2016.pdf
UK Government: Press Release, 16.07.16: Foreign Secretary reaffirms UK commitment to Gibraltar https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-reaffirms-uk-commitment-to-gibraltar
Government of Gibraltar: Press Release, 24.06.16: Statement by The Chief Minister to the Gibraltar Parliament https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/new/sites/default/files/press/2016/Topical%20Speeches/20160624%20Statement%20by%20The%20Chief%20Minister%20to%20the%20Gibraltar%20Parliament.pdf
Government of Gibraltar: Press Release, 27.06.16: Government reassures the public after EU Referendum https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/new/sites/default/files/press/2016/Press%20Releases/320-2016.pdf
Government of Gibraltar: Press Release, 01.07.16: Chief Minister Holds Meeting with La Linea Mayor to Discuss Brexit Strategy https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/new/sites/default/files/press/2016/Press%20Releases/329-2016.pdf
Government of Gibraltar: Press Release, 29.03.17: Chief Minister’s Statement on the Prime Minister’s Triggering of Art 50 of the Lisbon Treaty https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/new/sites/default/files/press/2017/Topical%20Speeches/20170329%20Chief%20Minister%20Statement%20on%20the%20Prime%20Minister%20Triggering%20of%20Art%2050%20of%20the%20Lisbon%20Treaty.pdf
UK Government: Press Release, 02.04.17: PM call with Chief Minister of Gibraltar: 2 April 2017 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-call-with-chief-minister-of-gibraltar-2-april-2017
News
Politico, 11.12.16: Gibraltar seeks special Brexit deal http://www.politico.eu/article/gibraltar-seeks-special-brexit-deal/
EurActiv, 09.01.17: Spain sees joint sovereignty over Gibraltar difficult if UK opposes http://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/news/spain-sees-joint-sovereignty-over-gibraltar-difficult-if-uk-opposes/
The Local (Spain), 03.05.17: Spain demands Brexit brings end to Gibraltar’s 'unfair competition' https://www.thelocal.es/20170503/spain-demands-brexit-brings-end-to-gibraltars-unfair-competition
El País, 03.05.17: Spain won’t allow Gibraltar to exercise 'unfair competition' after Brexit http://elpais.com/elpais/2017/05/03/inenglish/1493797850_570887.html
The Local (Spain), 06.08.17: Spain won't seek to recover Gibraltar in Brexit talks: minister https://www.thelocal.es/20170806/spain-wont-seek-to-recover-gibraltar-in-brexit-talks-minister
The Guardian, 23.11.17: Brexit deal 'must work for Gibraltar', says Downing Street https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/23/brexit-deal-must-work-for-gibraltar-says-downing-street
Politico, 19.12.17: London fears Madrid wants to drag Gibraltar into Brexit transition talks https://www.politico.eu/article/london-fears-madrid-wants-to-drag-gibraltar-into-brexit-transition-talks/
The Local (Spain), 08.02.18: Spain makes pledge on Gibraltar: 'Brexit won't change anything' https://www.thelocal.es/20180208/spain-makes-pledge-on-gibraltar-brexit-wont-change-anything
The Local (Spain), 23.03.18: Brexit: Spanish PM promises deal over Gibraltar https://www.thelocal.es/20180323/brexit-spanish-pm-promises-deal-over-gibraltar
The Guardian, 24.07.18: Gibraltar: Spain warns UK over 'cliff-edge' Brexit https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/24/gibraltar-spain-vents-frustration-with-uk-in-brexit-talks
El País, 17.09.18: Spain wants a special chapter on Gibraltar in Brexit agreement https://elpais.com/elpais/2018/09/17/inenglish/1537169967_017791.html
Euronews, 17.09.18: Barnier talks with Spain about Gibraltar ahead of Brexit https://www.euronews.com/2018/09/17/barnier-talks-with-spain-about-gibraltar-ahead-of-brexit
El País, 21.09.18: Spain hopeful of closing Gibraltar Brexit deal with UK by October https://elpais.com/elpais/2018/09/21/inenglish/1537521278_926151.html
The Local (Spain), 21.09.18: Spain insists post-Brexit accord on Gibraltar must be reached by mid-October https://www.thelocal.es/20180921/spain-insists-post-brexit-accord-on-gibraltar-must-be-reach-by-mid-october
El País, 01.10.18: Brussels puts pressure on Spain, UK to reach Brexit deal on Gibraltar https://elpais.com/elpais/2018/10/01/inenglish/1538392916_761306.html
Politico, 18.10.18: Gibraltar Brexit deal done, says Spain’s Sánchez https://www.politico.eu/article/gibraltar-brexit-deal-done-says-spain-prime-minister-pedro-sanchez/
El País, 18.10.18: At Brussels summit, Spain’s PM is hopeful of progress on Gibraltar https://elpais.com/elpais/2018/10/18/inenglish/1539873272_150898.html
Sky News, 13.10.16: Johnson cites Godfather in rejecting Spain's Gibraltar claims http://news.sky.com/story/johnson-cites-godfather-in-rejecting-spains-gibraltar-claims-10615597
EurActiv, 13.10.16: Gibraltar wants special arrangement in Brexit treaty http://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/news/gibraltar-wants-special-arrangement-in-brexit-treaty/
Politico, 20.08.16: Brexit an ‘existential threat’ to Gibraltar economy: chief minister http://www.politico.eu/article/brexit-an-existential-threat-to-gibraltar-economy-chief-minister-fabian-picardo-europe-consequences/
The Local (Spain), 11.07.16: Gibraltar wants another referendum on Brexit https://www.thelocal.es/20160711/gibraltar-calls-for-second-referendum-on-post-brexit-deal
Politico, 24.06.16: Spain: post-Brexit UK should drop Gibraltar https://www.politico.eu/article/spanish-minister-calls-for-gibraltar-to-be-returned-to-spain-on-back-of-brexit-vote-eu-leave-sovereign/
The Local (Spain), 24.06.16: Brexit: Spain calls for shared sovereignty over Gibraltar https://www.thelocal.es/20160624/spain-proposes-sharing-sovereignty-over-gibraltar-after-brexit-vote
The Local (Spain), 02.04.17: 'Gibraltar not for sale': Britain's Johnson https://www.thelocal.es/20170402/gibraltar-not-for-sale-britains-johnson
Politico, 02.04.17: U.K.-Spain tensions over Gibraltar flare http://www.politico.eu/article/u-k-spain-tensions-over-gibraltar-flare/
El País, 31.03.17: No EU-UK deal will apply to Gibraltar without agreement from Spain http://elpais.com/elpais/2017/03/31/inenglish/1490947258_654751.html
The Guardian, 31.03.17: Future of Gibraltar at stake in Brexit negotiations https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/31/future-of-gibraltar-at-stake-in-brexit-negotiations
BBC News, 01.04.17: Brexit: Gibraltar angered by Spain's EU 'veto' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39453535
EUobserver, 03.04.17: Brexit talks turn ugly over Gibraltar https://euobserver.com/uk-referendum/137473
EurActiv, 03.04.17: Brexit could turn Gibraltar into next Falklands, senior conservative claims http://www.euractiv.com/section/future-eu/news/brexit-could-turn-gibraltar-into-next-falklands-senior-conservative-claims/
El País, 03.04.17: 'There is no reason to lose one’s cool over Gibraltar': Spanish foreign minister http://elpais.com/elpais/2017/04/03/inenglish/1491206946_322778.html
The Local (Spain), 03.04.17: Spain 'surprised' by Britain's belligerent tone on Gibraltar https://www.thelocal.es/20170403/spain-surprised-by-britains-belligerent-tone-on-gibraltar
EUObserver, 04.04.17: EU rounds wagons in Gibraltar dispute https://euobserver.com/uk-referendum/137480
Deutsche Welle, 04.04.17: Spanish navy patrol ship sails into Gibraltar's waters prompting interception http://dw.com/p/2ahJC
The Local (Spain), 04.04.17: Britain to protest unlawful incursion by Spanish warship in Gibraltar waters https://www.thelocal.es/20170404/britain-to-protest-unlawful-incursion-by-spanish-warship-in-gibraltar-waters
Commentary and Analysis
Wikipedia: Effect of Brexit on Gibraltar https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effect_of_Brexit_on_Gibraltar
El País, 02.03.17: Gibraltar after Brexit http://elpais.com/elpais/2017/03/02/inenglish/1488458573_126346.html
El País, 13.04.17: Brexit is threatening the fragile economic symbiosis between La Línea de la Concepción and the Rock http://elpais.com/elpais/2017/04/12/inenglish/1491994179_137993.html
In Facts, 13.02.18: Brexiters heading for the Rock(s) on Gibraltar https://infacts.org/brexiters-heading-rocks-gibraltar/
The Independent, 01.03.18: Gibraltar is going to be an even bigger Brexit problem than Ireland – so why does no one want to talk about it? http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/gibraltar-brexit-northern-ireland-border-spain-theresa-may-a8234516.html
The Week, 08.03.18: Gibraltar and Brexit: what are the key issues? http://www.theweek.co.uk/brexit/92166/gibraltar-and-brexit-what-are-the-key-issues
In Facts, 30.08.18: Gibraltar: Overseas and overlooked in Brexit debate https://infacts.org/gibraltar-overseas-and-overlooked-in-brexit-debate/
El País, 27.09.18: Gibraltar after Brexit https://elpais.com/elpais/2018/09/24/inenglish/1537782740_325473.html
Conservative Home, 22.10.18: Meanwhile, good news from Gibraltar https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2018/10/agreement-on-gibraltar-is-the-good-news-on-the-brexit-negotiations.html
UK Parliament: Library Research Papers, No 7963: Brexit and Gibraltar http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-7963/CBP-7963.pdf
UK Parliament: Library Research Papers, No 8278: Brexit: Gibraltar update http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8278/CBP-8278.pdf
El País, 24.06.16: Gibraltar is Spanish! https://elpais.com/elpais/2016/06/24/inenglish/1466762107_302957.html
EurActiv, 31.03.17: EU-27 hands Spain veto over Gibraltar’s Brexit deal https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/eu-27-hands-spain-veto-over-gibraltars-brexit-deal/
El País, 30.03.17: Stoic Gibraltar slowly comes to terms with life after Brexit http://elpais.com/elpais/2017/03/30/inenglish/1490861341_913797.html
The Guardian, 03.04.17: Brexit talks: EU will not go soft on Gibraltar issue, diplomats say https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/02/eu-will-not-go-soft-on-gibraltar-brexit-talks-diplomats-say-spain
Euro|topics: Debates, April 2017: How serious is the row over Gibraltar? https://www.eurotopics.net/en/177060/how-serious-is-the-row-over-gibraltar
In Facts, 03.04.17: Leavers brazenly deflect blame over Gibraltar https://infacts.org/leavers-brazenly-deflect-blame-gibraltar/
The Conversation, 14.03.17: Brexit causes anguish on Gibraltar https://theconversation.com/brexit-causes-anguish-on-gibraltar-74426
Spiegel Online International, 03.04.17: A Rock and a Hard Place. Gibraltar Erupts as Early Brexit Issue http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/gibraltar-erupts-as-early-brexit-issue-a-1141693.html
The Conversation, 05.04.17: Gibraltar: a history of ill will over the Rock http://theconversation.com/gibraltar-a-history-of-ill-will-over-the-rock-75753
Carnegie Europe, 10.04.17: Brexit Between The Rock and a Hard Place http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/68615?lang=en
Verfassungsblog, 17.04.17: Gibraltar and the "Brexit" – New Scenarios within a Historic Dispute. A Proposal. https://verfassungsblog.de/gibraltar-and-the-brexit-new-scenarios-within-a-historic-dispute-a-proposal/
ESO Records
Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/
Brexit and the view from Spain [The EU Referendum, 23 June 2016. The United Kingdom and the European Union. The results. Reaction in Spain] https://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-and-the-view-from-spain-the-eu-referendum-23-june-2016-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union-the-results-reaction-in-spain/
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