Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez has said Madrid will revive its bid for shared sovereignty over Gibraltar once the UK has left the European Union. Mr Sanchez has claimed that Spain’s position over Gibraltar, which has been a British territory since 1713, was stronger after Brexit. Speaking to the Parliament of Gibraltar, Mr Picardo said it was important to send a “clear message to anyone in Spain who thinks there is the possibility of any proposal for sovereignty to prosper.” Speaking defiantly, Mr Picardo said: “Gibraltar will not yield. We will not bend. We will not get tired”.
The chief said he doesn’t think any Spanish political party understands “how unrealistic” the idea of shared sovereignty is.
He said to the Parliament: “Gibraltarians will not change their minds. We will not allow ourselves to be bribed with access to the community market, or with any other reward”.
The small peninsula attacked to Spain has been a point of tension between the two countries as Spain has claimed sovereignty.
Spanish officials have claimed they have strength over the UK in negotiations as 96 per cent of Gibraltar’s population voted in the EU referendum to remain in the bloc.
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Mr Sanchez said: “This puts Spain in a position of strength in negotiations with the United Kingdom over Gibraltar that we have not had until now”.
The European Commission President Jean-Claude Junker has said that many Europeans did not realise the importance of Gibraltar for Spain.
He has said: “We all lose with Brexit, especially the United Kingdom, but regarding Gibraltar, Spain wins.”
The citizens of Gibraltar have consistently said they want to remain under the rule of Britain.
Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo has compared Mr Sanchez’s tactics to Spain’s fascist dictator General Franco.
Mr Picardo said: “Whilst he pursues the sovereignty of Gibraltar in the manner that he has today, he is doing no more than pursuing the policy bidding of the Generalissimo himself.
“I sincerely hope he changes course.Because abandoning the politics of Franco in respect of the sovereignty of Gibraltar would be a more effective way of turning over a new leaf.”
Theresa May paid tribute to Mr Picardo, vowing: “Our message to Gibraltar is clear, we will always stand by you.”
Additional reporting by Maria Ortega