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Diplomatic conflict between the

UK and Spain

Gibraltar

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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.

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Gibraltar

Gibraltar is a disputed British

Overseas Territory, close to the

southernmost tip of the IberianPeninsula, which is the subject of a

disputed irredentist claim by Spain

Political declaration of unity

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2002: an agreement in principle in set

sovereignty over Gibraltar between the

governments of the UK and Spain was

announced.

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British Position

The UK Government will never 'never' is aseldom-used word in politics enter into anagreement on sovereignty without the

agreement of the Government of Gibraltarand their people.

On the reverse side of the medal, regardingthe independence, it refers to the Treaty ofUtrecht as, according to the British view, itwould require Spanish consent.

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Gibraltarian Position

The people of Gibraltar claimed that the Spanish arguments aregroundless,

Purposes of the United Nations:

Art. 1 To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect forthe principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and totake other appropriate measure to strengthen universalpeace.

To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems ofan economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and

To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment ofthese common end.

All peoples have the right to self-determination; by virtue of that right

they freely determine their political status and freely pursue theireconomic, social and cultural development.

Resolution 1514 (XV) guarantees Gibraltars right to self-determinationand it is also the motive why the Spanish government claims for itsterritorial integrity

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2008: the UN 4thCommittee 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

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Spanish Arguments

1.National pride

Gibraltar is the only colony left in Europe

For Spanish patriots of the 19th century, The Rock wasa 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 Garcia-

Margallo 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 Elizabethsdiamond jubilee celebrations

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2. The British have breached the Treaty

of Utrecht

Under the Treaty of Utrecht, Gibraltarwould, theoretically, automatically comeunder 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.

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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.

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4. Tax Haven

Organisation for Economic Cooperation andDevelopment's "white list" of jurisdictions.

Madrid still intends to crack down on fiscal fraudby Gibraltarians.

6,700 Gibraltarians live in Spain but use Gibraltaras their tax residence.

Gibraltar offers a very favourable tax rate of 10percent, compared to Spains 30 percent.

The number of businesses registered on The Rockis thought to be more than 30,000.

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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

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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 environmentallegislation.

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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

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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 arelegal.

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Border Controls Imposed by Spain (2)

The EU sent a team to the Gibraltar border in late September toinvestigate 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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