EU support for Spain claim to Gibraltar angers Britain

Britain has been angered by the European Union’s support for Spain’s territorial claim to the land on which Gibraltar airport is built.

It came after the EU did not include Gibraltar airport in a contingency plan under which direct flights between the UK and EU destinations will continue to operate for nine months in the event of a no Brexit deal. 

A British government spokesman reacted to the plan and the EU's support for Madrid’s claim, saying London is “certain of our sovereignty over the whole of Gibraltar.”

“We disagree with the language inserted by Spain in relation to sovereignty over the land on which the airport is built as it does not recognize the UK’s position on sovereignty,” said the spokesman.

“We are also disappointed that the text that will go forward for adoption does not cover Gibraltar,” he said referring to the EU contingency plan.

Yo Zoy British@GibraltarExit

BBC News - UK objects to description of Gibraltar as 'British colony' in EU law https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-47087439 … The passports issued for Gibraltar residents used to be ´Colony of Gibraltar’ same as 15 other GB’s Colonies. It is overdue to abolish all colonies. Let’s start with Gibraltar

8:06 AM - Mar 1, 2019

EU calls Gibraltar a 'British colony'

The UK objects to language in legislation allowing visa-free travel for Britons after Brexit.

bbc.com

• 1
• See Yo Zoy British's other Tweets

Twitter Ads info and privacy

The disputed area on Gibraltar includes an 800-meter isthmus with mainland Spain, on which two housing estates and the airport are located.

Gibraltar is a point of contention in Anglo-Spanish relations because Spain asserts a claim to the territory.

Madrid continues to dispute Britain’s control of the strip and has been seeking to open discussions on joint sovereignty over the territory in the wake of Britain’s exit from the EU.

A confrontation occurred in the waters off Gibraltar earlier this month, when the UK sent a warship to respond to an alleged violation by a Spanish vessel.

PressTV-Spanish warship stands-off with British navy in Gibraltar

UK army deploys a warship to respond to “foolish” provocation by Spain in Gibraltar waters.

Spain’s cabinet is set to adopt a Royal Decree on Friday, setting out “temporary and unilateral” contingency measures “to protect Spanish interests and, in particular, those of the Campo de Gibraltar.”

News of the proposal came after Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called on his British counterpart Theresa May not to prolong uncertainty over Brexit.

May admitted for the first time on Tuesday that her country may not leave the EU on March 29, offering lawmakers a chance to vote to delay Brexit if her deal is rejected again next month.

She has now promised that if her deal is voted down, lawmakers will get a chance to vote on whether to leave with no deal, or to ask the European Union to delay the deadline.