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Pedro Sánchez, November 18, 2018 in Chiclana de la Frontera, near the Strait of Gibraltar. REUTERS / Marcelo del Pozo
Madrid risks voting against the draft Brexit agreement if the Gibraltar part is not changed. The President of the Government Pedro Sánchez made this development this Tuesday, November 20, 2018, from the Spanish capital.
With our correspondent in Madrid, François Musseau
In the UK's exit treaty from the European Union, an article makes Madrid angry, namely Article 184, which essentially states that this tiny territory of Gibraltar, located at the southernmost tip of Spain at the entrance of the strait of the same name is not a problem.
But for the government of the Socialist Pedro Sanchez, the fate of Gibraltar is an important issue, national, to use his words. It takes over the Spanish position of always, namely: Gibraltar is a British colony which - as the treaty of Utrecht of 1713 says - must return to the Spanish fold as soon as it changes status.
But this is what Foreign Minister Josep Borrell is insisting on these days: at the very moment when Brexit will officially take place, the territory of Gibraltar will no longer be the same and Madrid will have to have the last word on his future. A position strongly rejected by Fabian Picardo, the chief minister of Gibraltar who wishes to maintain the very important autonomy of this territory.
► The Brexit seen from Gibraltar
► Gibraltar prepares for the post-Brexit