Spain to back Brexit deal after UK agrees to Gibraltar terms

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union removed the last major obstacle to sealing an agreement on Brexit after Spain said it had reached a deal Saturday with Britain over Gibraltar on the eve of an EU summit.

British Prime Minister Theresa May, who arrived in Brussels Saturday evening for preparatory talks with EU leaders, will then have the momentous task of selling the deal to a recalcitrant British Parliament and a nation still fundamentally split over whether the U.K. should leave the EU on March 29 and under what conditions.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced Saturday that Madrid would support the Brexit divorce deal after the U.K. and the EU agreed to give Spain a say in the future of the disputed British territory of Gibraltar, which lies at the southern tip of the Mediterranean nation.

Spain wants the future of the tiny territory, which was ceded to Britain in 1713 but is still claimed by Spain, to be a bilateral issue between Madrid and London, not between Britain and the EU.

In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and European Council President Donald Tusk assured Sanchez that Spain's "prior agreement" would be needed on matters concerning Gibraltar.

"Europe and the United Kingdom have accepted the conditions imposed by Spain," Sanchez said. "Therefore, as a consequence of this, Spain will lift its veto and tomorrow will vote in favor of Brexit."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/spain-to-back-brexit-deal-after-uk-agrees-to-gibraltar-terms/ar-BBQ2BF8?li=BBnbcA1

[DFW]

1. That is one problem without a solution

The fascist government of Spain that took power in 1939 was insisting for the return of Gibraltar since it took power. When Spain returned to civilian rule after Franco's death, the British never forgot that they were being harassed for decades about the return of Gibraltar by the last surviving ally of the man (Hitler) who ordered the bombing of civilian Britain with missiles during World War II. Franco ran Spain until the mid-1970s.

In the meantime, the residents of Gibraltar feel British, though many are fluent in Spanish as well, and most are happy with their British status. I don't know many, as I have ever been there, but I know some. Geography, of course favor's Spain's claim, but the history will be a mighty object to overcome.

[Blue_true]

3. Sort of like the Falkland Island situation, without war. nt

[DavidDvorkin]

2. May will agree to just about anything at this point.