Spain must have a say in Gibraltar's future post-Brexit: EU

Spain must have a say over whether any post-Brexit deal applies to Gibraltar, the EU said Friday, a move welcomed by Madrid which is engaged in a bitter sovereignty row with London over the British territory.

The proposal represents the EU's position in tough Brexit negotiating plans unveiled by EU president Donald Tusk just days after Britain formally triggered the process to exit the 28-member bloc.

But it is likely to face a fierce backlash from London, which has pledged to stand by the tiny rocky overseas territory on the southern tip of Spain that was ceded to Britain in 1713.

"After the United Kingdom leaves the union, no agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom may apply to the territory of Gibraltar without the agreement between the Kingdom of Spain and the United Kingdom," the EU's draft negotiating guidelines read.

- EU 'pursuing' Spain interests -

This means that Madrid could potentially block Gibraltar's access to any trade deal Britain negotiates with the EU, opposition politicians in the Rock claim.

It also shows that the European Union is putting Spain -- its member state -- first.

A senior EU official said the issue of Gibraltar was included in the negotiating guidelines as it is one of a number that involve joint or contested jurisdiction, and that "the EU is naturally pursuing the interests of the remaining 27 member states."

Spain's conservative government, which has been particularly vocal about getting Gibraltar back, welcomed the latest development.

"EU recognition of the legal-political situation defended by Spain satisfies us entirely," government spokesman Inigo Mendez de Vigo told reporters.

- Bad neighbourly relations -

Relations between Spain and Gibraltar have ebbed and flowed over the decades.

In recent years, tensions have heightened under Spain's conservative government, which apart from sovereignty claims also bristles at tobacco smuggling across the border and accuses Gibraltar of being a corporate tax haven.

Both sides have been involved in disputes, prompting the European Union to step in.

In 2013, for instance, it was forced to ease one particularly belligerent row over disputed waters that saw Spanish authorities up checks on their land border with Gibraltar, creating hours-long logjams for workers and tourists going to the Rock.

Fearing that this type of disruption could happen again without EU protection, Gibraltarians voted by 96 percent to stay in the bloc in last year's referendum.

Sensing an opportunity after the outcome, Spain proposed that Gibraltar -- whose economy largely depends on the EU single market -- be allowed to remain in the bloc in exchange for shared sovereignty with Britain over the Rock.

Having already rejected such a proposal in a 2002 referendum, residents still appear set on remaining British after the vote, even if it means exiting the European Union.

And on Wednesday, British Prime Minister Theresa May pledged her support for Gibraltar.

"We have been firm in our commitment never to enter arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their wishes, nor to enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content," she told parliament.

- 'So Spain want Gibraltar?' -

On Wednesday, Gibraltar leader Fabian Picardo vowed to fight any attempt by Spain to gain more control over "the Rock" during Brexit negotiations.

Over in Britain, lawmakers and activists reacted with defiance and concern.

Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake said the decision "shows just how damaging the government's hard Brexit will be on this strategically-important British territory."

"Theresa May must urgently produce a plan that protects the citizens of Gibraltar, including their businesses and communities."

The sovereignty row between Britain and Spain over Gibraltar regularly stokes nationalist sentiment in both countries.

On Friday, Brexit campaign group Leave.EU tweeted a picture of thousands of Spaniards marching in support of independence for the northeastern region of Catalonia, a sore issue for Madrid.

"So Spain want Gibraltar?," it read.

"Perhaps we should recognise Catalonia..."