The question of sovereignty between Britain and Spain over Gibraltar has remained the focus of a long-standing conflict between the two countries. The latest negotiations have intensified again, with British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab slamming the European Commission's proposal as a direct impact on the sovereignty of the UK and its overseas territories. Gibraltar though only 58 square kilometres, but strategically important, it is located at the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar, a key artery from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic Ocean.
Earlier, the European Commission approved a draft proposed by Spain on the UK's post-Brexit negotiations on Gibraltar, involving rules such as border checks, asylum, and visa and stay permits. However, the UK had agreed with Spain before Brexit not to leave the EU in order to avoid the formation of an external EU border between Gibraltar and Spain. The European Commission's proposal contradicts this, directly affects British sovereignty and triggers a diplomatic dispute.
The Gibraltar dispute originated in the 18th century, with the British occupation in 1704 and the signing of a treaty establishing colonial status in 1713. However, since World War II, Spain has been trying to regain control of Gibraltar, sparking a dispute between the two countries. The United Nations had urged Britain to accelerate the decolonization of Gibraltar, but Britain ignored it, leading to Spain's blockade of access to Gibraltar.
Gibraltar's geographical location made it such that neither the UK nor Spain would want to let it go easily. Due to the existence of the problem for many years, the dispute between the two countries has progressed slowly and has reached an impasse. Today, the issue of Gibraltar is closely linked to Brexit, which requires the consent of 27 member states before it can leave, and Spain has a veto that is the deciding factor.
Raab accused the EU of taking into account the interests of the three parties and seeking effective and flexible arrangements. However, the issue of Gibraltar's sovereignty was not included in the 2020 EU-Brexit** agreement, leaving the UK with a new approach. Now, Spain has become a key factor in the decision of Brexit, the long-standing dispute between the two countries has not been resolved, the United Kingdom has made concessions for Brexit, but the European Union does not allow Gibraltar to be linked to Brexit, and puts forward more conditions for the United Kingdom, which is not only a warning to internal member states, but also a declaration to the outside world, highlighting the majesty of the European Union.
The long-standing dispute between Britain and Spain over the sovereignty of Gibraltar highlights a complex situation on the European political scene. The article details the historical origins of the dispute, revealing the different positions of the two sides at the negotiating table, as well as the role and proposals of the European Commission. While explaining this issue, the article provides an objective and sober analysis of Gibraltar's geographical importance and the key role it played in the dispute between Britain and Spain.
First of all, the article points out that Gibraltar's geographical location is of great strategic value to the United Kingdom and Spain. This is despite the fact that Gibraltar itself is only 58 square kilometres, but its geographical location makes it the choke point that chokes the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. The importance of this geographical location is not only a product of geopolitics, but also a focus of contention between the two sides. Through a detailed historical review, the article explains why Gibraltar has been the focus of Anglo-Spanish disputes.
Secondly, the article highlights the role of the European Commission in the negotiations and the draft it proposes. Raab slammed the European Commission's proposal for negotiations, arguing that it was in direct conflict with previous agreements between the two sides and involved sovereignty issues. This highlights the European Commission's involvement in the Gibraltar dispute, as well as its meticulous focus on Brexit. This view makes it easier for readers to understand that the Gibraltar dispute is not just a bilateral dispute, but a matter that concerns the entire EU system.
The article then analyzes the close link between the Gibraltar issue and Brexit. At a time when the UK wants to leave the European Union, Gibraltar's geopolitical position has become a key part of the Brexit process. As a member of the European Union, Spain has a veto power, which directly affects whether the UK will successfully leave the EU. This has complicated the issue of Gibraltar's sovereignty in the Brexit process, prompting caution and reflection on all sides.
Finally, the article provides an objective assessment of Raab's views on attacking the EU. Raab advocated that the EU should consider the interests of the three parties before making a decision, and pursue arrangements that are effective for all parties. This position reflects the UK's expectation of pragmatism and flexibility on the EU in the case of Gibraltar. However, the EU's proposal seems to be more biased towards the UK's constraints, not only challenging the UK's bottom line, but also revealing the EU's hardline stance to a certain extent.
Overall, this article presents in an easy-to-understand way the complex situation of the Anglo-Spanish struggle for sovereignty over Gibraltar. Through the analysis of the historical, geographical, and political dimensions, the reader will be able to better understand the root causes of this dispute, as well as its significance in the current European political landscape.
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