Gibraltar, same facts interpreted differently by the
media
Sovereignty
conflicts like Gibraltar in which several international agents claim sovereign
rights for different reasons over the same piece of land have a particular
feature: their solution seems to require a mutually exclusive relation among
the agents because the sovereignty over the third territory can be for only one
of them.
Indeed, sovereignty seems to be an absolute concept (that is to say,
exclusive, and not shareable).
Post
7: Territorial disputes: sovereignty
Post
8: Territorial disputes: sovereignty (cont.)
Gibraltar
is a clear example of a zero sum game, with many negative outcomes of different
sorts (e.g. military, tax heavens, inefficient exploitation of natural
resources, tension in international relations).
Thus, while these conflicts are
in principle confined to specific areas and start with negative consequences
primarily for the local population, they tend quickly to expand to the regional
and—even—the international level. The effect of Brexit remains unknown. Yet, it
is evident there are many issues at stake domestically and internationally.
Post
9: Territorial disputes: issues at stake
Only to have a
glimpse, today’s posts included below articles from the media covering this
territorial dispute.
In all cases, although this sovereignty dispute has been
and is object of study of many sciences—law, political sciences, international
relations, only to name a few—these sciences do not share their developments
and both different approaches and different languages were applied.
Indeed,
although multi and inter-disciplinary studies are promoted in speeches
everywhere, it is more a nominal aim rather than an actual reality.
I realized
that the answer was very simple. Some problems are never solved because most
look for more problems, problems within a problem, or just simply give up or
are so self-centered they think that problem will not affect them and hence,
why would they even think about it.
Ergo, the answer came to me: some problems
like Gibraltar are never solved because people (or their representatives) do
not look for a solution.
Gibraltar
Chronicle
Clause 24 is ‘a solidarity
lever’ for Spain, Barnier says
“The controversial ‘Clause 24’ veto granted to Spain
by the European Union in its Brexit negotiating guidelines reflects the
“unanimous solidarity” of the remaining EU members with the Spanish position on
Gibraltar.”
The
Guardian
Brexit:
Gibraltar keeps calm but is ready to play hardball
“[…]
20% of UK motor insurance is estimated to be sold by Gibraltar companies and
60% of all online gaming bets are taken by firms on the Rock […]”
“[…]
about 13,000 people – 8,000 of them Spaniards – cross into Gibraltar to work
each day.”
BBC
Spain hopeful of Gibraltar deal with the
UK by summer
“The UK says "informal" talks
are going on about Gibraltar's post-Brexit future with Spain.”
“Mr Dastis has previously said that sovereignty would not be an issue in Brexit
negotiations.”
“Instead Madrid wants joint management
of Gibraltar's airport and more co-operation on tax fraud and border controls.”
Forbes
Lendo Epitomises Emergence Of Gibraltar As A
Blockchain Country
“Gibraltar, a place that has proved contentious
between the UK and Spain, perhaps making it the perfect place as a bridge
between two worlds; in this case financial, not political.”
“The strategy for Gibraltar appears to be simple.
Create an ecosystem where investor safety is of the utmost importance,
regulation is key and led by the Gibraltar Blockchain Exchange (GBX), a
subsidiary of the Gibraltar Stock Exchange.”
The
Wall Street Journal
Another Rock on the Road to Brexit:
Gibraltar
“The territory’s chief minister, Fabian
Picardo, said in an interview he was concerned about its impact on residents
who depend on trade and an open frontier with Spain—particularly the 13,000
people who cross the border daily to work. He also expressed worries that Spain
could use Brexit to press its longstanding attempts to reclaim the territory.”
“Clare Moody, a British member of the
European Parliament representing Gibraltar, said she was concerned that amid
the multitude of issues Brexit arises, the U.K. government won’t set out
clearly what Brexit will mean for the territory, creating uncertainty for
businesses.”
El
País
Life
around Gibraltar: one line, two very different worlds
“Gibraltar’s
economy is robust and powered by financial services and technology. The Rock’s
economy is fuelled by a magically low 10% corporate tax and exemption from
sales tax (VAT), a combination in place since 2009 that attracts companies from
all over Europe. In the meantime, La Línea’s economy is depressed and has been
for a long time […]”
“The
Spanish town of La Línea de la Concepción lies just 50 metres from the border.
It has a population of 63,000 and an unemployment rate of 35%. On the Rock,
unemployment is at 1% and GDP per capita is EUR 64,000. The contrast is
striking. While Gibraltar thrives and fortunes are pooled and invested, La
Línea is dealing with conflictive gangs and drugs […]: La Línea has an annual
budget of EUR 50 million and a debt of EUR 160 million […]”
NOTE:
This post is based on Jorge Emilio Núñez, “Territorial Disputes and State
Sovereignty: International Law and Politics,” London and New York: Routledge,
Taylor and Francis Group, 2020 (forthcoming)
Previous
published research monograph about territorial disputes and sovereignty by the
author, Jorge Emilio Núñez, “Sovereignty Conflicts and International Law and
Politics: A Distributive Justice Issue,” London and New York: Routledge, Taylor
and Francis Group, 2017.
NEXT
POST: Gibraltar and the Egalitarian Shared Sovereignty
Thursday 07th November 2019
Dr Jorge Emilio Núñez
Twitter: @London1701
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