Brexit at risk over Gibraltar

MADRID: Spain will vote against the European Union’s draft Brexit deal on Sunday unless it is modified to make clear that the future of the disputed British territory of Gibraltar relies on talks between Madrid and London, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said.

Spain’s demands on Gibraltar are the latest push by EU states to obtain more on national interests ahead of Sunday’s summit of EU leaders, but diplomats said there was little concern these would scupper prospects for a deal.

“As of today, if there are no changes with respect to Gibraltar, Spain will vote no to the agreement on Brexit,” Mr Sanchez said in Madrid yesterday.

According to EU rules, the withdrawal treaty is adopted by qualified majority and

not unanimity. So a single state like Spain cannot block it.

Gibraltar is a major point of contention in Anglo-Spanish relations. Spain has long claimed sovereignty over it.

Gibraltar is due to leave the EU along with the United Kingdom in March, although 96% of its population voted in the 2016 referendum to remain in the bloc.

While Spain initially welcomed a protocol on Gibraltar in the draft Brexit agreement, Foreign Minister Josep Borrell said there was a confusion over Gibraltar in the main body of the agreement.

That needed to be clarified in a broader political declaration on Brexit, which is also expected ahead of the summit but has not yet been distributed to EU member states, Mr Borrell said.