Gibraltar closer to co-sovereignty according to Spanish Foreign Minister
Long-running dispute between Spain and the UK over territory
- The region voted overwhelmingly to Remain in the European Union
Spain's foreign minister said that he laments Britain's decision to leave the European Union, but that it's good news for the country's claim over Gibraltar.
“Co-sovereignty in Gibraltar is now closer than ever,” José Manuel García Margallo told a radio station on Friday, according to reports from Madrid.
“The Spanish flag is closer to flying on the Rock, but no-one should think that I am celebrating this situation.”
There has long been a disagreement over the small territory's standing and plenty of friction exists between the two governments surrounding the issue.
Spanish government representatives have long argued that Brexit could help shift the debate on this sensitive issue, if only because join EU membership currently provides the legal base for keeping open the border between Spain and Gibraltar – the only land crossing into the territory.
The territory voted overwhelmingly to Remain in the EU in Thursday's referendum, after being the first region top announce its results.
According to the official result, 96 per cent of the Gibraltar electorate voted in favour of Remain – the highest percentage of any voting area in the UK.