'Tempest in a Teapot': EU Lawmakers Say Gibraltar Brexit Issue Overrated

© REUTERS / Jon NazcaA general view shows the Spanish city of La Linea de la Concepcion (rear) and the tarmac of the Gibraltar International Airport (bottom L) while tourists stand on the top of the Rock (R) next to the European Union flag, in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar, September 14, 2016
A general view shows the Spanish city of La Linea de la Concepcion (rear) and the tarmac of the Gibraltar International Airport (bottom L) while tourists stand on the top of the Rock (R) next to the European Union flag, in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar, September 14, 2016 - Sputnik International
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BRUSSELS (Sputnik) - Despite the fact that there is still much vagueness regarding how the Brexit withdrawal agreement will be applied to Gibraltar, the position of the Spanish government on the disputed peninsula is exaggerated and looks like "tempest in a teapot," an EU lawmaker said in a comment to Sputnik on Friday.

Since the news about London agreeing the text of the Brexit withdrawal agreement emerged, the issue of Gibraltar has been gaining momentum, with the Spanish authorities threatening to veto the deal unless the document was amended to incorporate provisions on direct Madrid-London talks on Gibraltar, which Spain views as its territory.

The series of controversial statements by the UK and Spanish authorities regarding the possibility of reaching a compromise on the matter are due to be carried to their logical conclusion on Sunday, when the EU27 leaders will vote on the draft Brexit deal, including the withdrawal agreement and the declaration on the future EU-UK relations.

Show-off for Domestic Audience

Steven Woolfe, a member of the European Parliament from the United Kingdom, told Sputnik that he considered the stance of the Spanish authorities on the issue ridiculous, arguing that the UK side had assured its Spanish colleagues on numerous occasions that the Gibraltar issue will be resolved bilaterally by London and Madrid.

The Union Jack (L), the Gibraltarian flag (C) and the European Union flag are seen flying at the border of Gibraltar with Spain, in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar, historically claimed by Spain April 3, 2017. - Sputnik International
Spanish PM Threatens to Cancel Sunday Brexit Summit Over Gibraltar Dispute
"As for Spain, this is a storm in a glass of water. The Spanish side had been reassured three times by the EU and Britain about the fact that the issue of Gibraltar remains a bilateral issue that can only be negotiated and decided upon between the UK and Spain. What more do they want?" Woolfe said.

He suggested that Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez' rigid position might have targeted the Spanish public, first and foremost, and aimed to create an image of a strong leader.

"The threat by Pedro Sanchez of not signing the Brexit deal on Sunday is just destined to his internal audience in Spain, to look unnecessarily tough, where there is no need for it. It is a a storm in a glass of water!" Woolfe argued.

Agreement's Formalization

Beatriz Becerra, a member of the European Parliament's Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, on the contrary, insisted that what has been stated by the UK leadership on several occasions should be formalized on the paper.

"The texts, as they are currently drafted, do not make it clear without any doubt that all questions relating to how this future relationship will apply in Gibraltar must be independent of the general negotiation and in addition must always have the prior approval of Spain. This has been recognized by the Spanish Secretary of State for the EU Luis Marco Aguiriano, but it must be written in full letters," Becerra stated.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, and British Prime Minister Theresa May wait for the beginning of the plenary session of the informal EU summit in Salzburg, Austria, Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018. - Sputnik International
We Know Spain Has Gibraltar Issues But We Will Uphold Brexit Deal - Merkel
She insisted that with the current wording of the Brexit draft deal can be interpreted as if Gibraltar is included in the future relationship that the United Kingdom negotiates directly with the European Union.

"The International Legal Department of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation has confirmed it: this interpretation is unacceptable for Spain," Becerra underlined.

She added that if the Spanish authorities failed to address the issue before the draft agreement's approval, the responsibility for the "Gibraltar fiasco" would rest with the government.

Gibraltar, located on the southern coast of Spain, has been a British Overseas Territory since 1713, when Spain ceded it to the United Kingdom under Utrecht Treaty. The region’s residents rejected the idea of Spanish sovereignty in 1967 and joint UK-Spanish authority in 2002.

The region is set to leave the European Union together with the rest of the United Kingdom in March 2019. The Brexit agreement between London and Brussels includes a special protocol on Gibraltar.

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