Jeevan A. Robinson
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Whatever deal the UK negotiates when it triggers ARTICLE 50, that will commence the UK's departure from the European Union, Gibraltar will be included.
These views were recently expressed by Simon Manley, The UK's Ambassador to Spain, during an interview with a right-wing Spanish paper.
In the interview Ambassador Manley stated; "Gibraltar forms part of the United Kingdom...we are currently talking to its government about our negotiating position, in the same way as we are doing with Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and London.”
“And our position is to tackle those negotiations as a United Kingdom, because we are going to leave the European Union as a United Kingdom.” He further stated.
He also reiterated what UK Prime Minister Theresa May had also mentioned that “there is no turning back” from BREXIT. Miss May had earlier said that "BREXIT means BREXIT."
Mr Manley made his comments following on from statements expressed by Spain's Acting Foreign Minister, José Manuel García-Margallo, in which he stated that Gibraltar cannot form part of the UK’s exit deal.
The acting Spanish Foreign Minister García-Margallo is of the position that whenever Article 50 is triggered, Gibraltar will not be part of any negotiation between the two parties - UK and the EU.
"Spain will block or veto any decision that is not in line with that view." He stated.
In light of the possible rift this could cause in the future, Ambassador Manley mentioned that; “We hope to have the best possible relations between Gibraltar and Spain, not just in economic terms but also at the level of human and commercial interaction.”
