Diplomatic conflict between the UK and Spain

Gibraltar

What is diplomacy? What is its purpose?

the (skill of) management of a countrys affairs by ambassadors and ministers living overseas. The subjects of diplomacy are those who are employed in diplomacy for her or his country. Mainly, diplomacy is the proper way to solve disagreements between countries or international organizations.

Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a disputed British Overseas Territory, close to the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula, which is the subject of a disputed irredentist claim by Spain Political declaration of unity

 2002: an agreement in principle in set sovereignty over Gibraltar between the governments of the UK and Spain was announced.

British Position
The UK Government will never 'never' is a seldom-used word in politics enter into an agreement on sovereignty without the agreement of the Government of Gibraltar and their people. On the reverse side of the medal, regarding the independence, it refers to the Treaty of Utrecht as, according to the British view, it would require Spanish consent.

Gibraltarian Position
The people of Gibraltar claimed that the Spanish arguments are groundless, Purposes of the United Nations: Art. 1 To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measure to strengthen universal peace. To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common end. All peoples have the right to self-determination; by virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development. Resolution 1514 (XV) guarantees Gibraltars right to self-determination and it is also the motive why the Spanish government claims for its territorial integrity

 2008: the UN 4th Committee rejected the claim that a dispute over sovereignty affected self-determination, stating it to be a basic human right Spain does not dispute that Gibraltar is properly, in law, British territory. - Peter Caruana, the Chief Minister of Gibraltar

Spanish Arguments

1.National pride
Gibraltar is the only colony left in Europe For Spanish patriots of the 19th century, The Rock was a totemic issue, and a symbol of Spains decline, The pro-Spain sentiment continues to the present day. In March, Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel GarciaMargallo said he had "never set foot on Gibraltar" Royal Sphere: In 2012, Spains Queen Sofia cancelled her visit to the UK to take part in Queen Elizabeths diamond jubilee celebrations

2. The British have breached the Treaty of Utrecht

Under the Treaty of Utrecht, Gibraltar would, theoretically, automatically come under Spanish rule if the British Crown renounced The Rock. Spain has long complained that Gibraltar has expanded beyond its original treaty limits. However, the treaty of Utrecht made no mention of any such territorial waters.

3. Smugglers Paradise
Gibraltar has traditionally been considered a den of smugglers. Tobacco seizures on the border between Spain and Gibraltar have risen 40 percent in 2013. Other contraband that has passed through Gibraltar into Spain includes heroin and cocaine.

4. Tax Haven
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's "white list" of jurisdictions. Madrid still intends to crack down on fiscal fraud by Gibraltarians. 6,700 Gibraltarians live in Spain but use Gibraltar as their tax residence. Gibraltar offers a very favourable tax rate of 10 percent, compared to Spains 30 percent. The number of businesses registered on The Rock is thought to be more than 30,000.

Intervention of the European Union

Both countries (Spain and UK) belong to the European Union. The European Union plays an important role in the resolution of this diplomatic conflicts. Therefore, the support of the European Union was requested in two specific cases:
Dump of cement blocks in the Gibraltar Bay Additional border controls by Spain

Dump of Cement Blocks in the Gibraltar Bay

Brussels will determine whether the 70 cement blocks dumped in the Gibraltar bay are legal or not. European Union spokesperson Olivier Bailly said that It is the European Commission that will address Spains complaint and decide if it is a possible violation of EU environmental legislation.

Dump of Cement Blocks in the Gibraltar Bay (2)

According to Spain they were deliberately dumped to prevent local Spanish artisanal fishermen from catching. Gibraltar argues they exist with the purpose of building a reef Bailly said that it has yet to be determined how the visiting mission of experts will be conformed.

Gibraltar Bay

Border Controls Imposed by Spain

In response to the dump of cement blocks, Spanish authorities tightened routine controls on the land border between Spain and Gibraltar causing long delays and traffic jams at the crossing. The European Commission ruled Friday that the additional controls imposed by Spain are legal.

Border Controls Imposed by Spain (2)

The EU sent a team to the Gibraltar border in late September to investigate after Britain said it was considering unspecified legal action against Spain over the additional border checks. The commission didn't blame Spain or Britain for the diplomatic spat, but said it would continue to monitor the situation and urged both to report back on progress on its recommendations within six months.

Border Controls by Spain

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