Gibraltar's military defense

Gibraltar is the last colony on the European continent today. It is located on the northern shore of Gibraltar Strait in southern Europe and the southern tip of Iberian Peninsula. Although Gibraltar has an area of only 5.8 square kilometers and a total population of less than 30,000, it is a maritime hub between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea and has important strategic significance. Gibraltar was incorporated into Spanish territory in 150 1 and was occupied by Britain in the war of 1704 for Spain's succession to the throne. 17 13, Britain and Spain signed the Treaty of Utrecht, and Gibraltar was ceded to Britain. Britain expelled the local Spaniards and a large number of immigrants entered from other places. 198 1 year, Britain granted Gibraltar residents full British citizenship, which added new difficulties to the settlement of this dispute.

However, Spain never gave up its claim to recover Gibraltar's sovereignty and stepped up its recovery activities after World War II. Since the 1960s, Britain and Spain have held many talks on this issue, but no substantive results have been achieved. As the question of Gibraltar has long troubled the relationship between Britain and Spain, British Prime Minister Tony Blair is determined to seek a comprehensive and permanent settlement agreement after taking office. The United Nations has also constantly urged the two countries to find a solution to this long-standing dispute as soon as possible. During the Anglo-Spanish negotiations held in 1997, Spain put forward a new plan that Spain and Britain would enjoy the sovereignty of Gibraltar for a long time (not less than 50 years), but the British government did not respond positively in time. In July, the British Foreign Secretary officially announced that Britain agreed in principle to share the sovereignty of Gibraltar with Spain.

This sovereignty plan was strongly opposed by the local government and residents of Gibraltar. Chief Minister Caruana of Gibraltar publicly stated that the plan was "totally wrong, infeasible and dangerous". Many Gibraltarians even think that Britain's agreement to this plan is a "betrayal of sovereignty". In order to show the British and Spanish governments the determination of Gibraltar residents to keep the status quo unchanged, in July, the local government of Gibraltar announced that a referendum would be held. The ballot paper in the referendum reads: "Do you agree with the principle that Britain and Spain have sovereignty over Gibraltar?"

This is the second referendum on the ownership of Gibraltar residents. In the first referendum held in September, 1967, more than 99% of eligible voters agreed that Gibraltar should stay in Britain, and only 40 people agreed to return to Spain. The turnout rate of this referendum was 87.9%, and the number of people who voted against Britain's plan to enjoy sovereignty over Gibraltar was almost the same as last time, reaching 99%. The results of this referendum show that although 35 years have passed, the position of Gibraltar residents against Spain's recovery of Gibraltar's sovereignty has not changed.

After the results of the referendum were announced, the British and Spanish governments made it clear that they did not recognize it, but Chief Minister Caruana of Gibraltar said, "This sent a clear signal to the world". This means that we must face up to the public opinion in Gibraltar when solving the problem of Gibraltar's ownership. Some analysts believe that the result of this referendum is a "heavy blow" to both the British government and the Spanish government. It shows that there is still a long way to go in the negotiations between Britain and Spain on the ownership of Gibraltar. Spain's determination to recover Gibraltar's sovereignty will not change because of this, and it is obviously impossible for the British government to persuade Gibraltar residents to change their minds in a short time. 20 13 On August 5th, Spanish Foreign Minister Margallo said in an exclusive interview published in Abesai that the Spanish government was planning to take back some concessions made on Gibraltar during Zapatero's administration.

The territorial dispute over Gibraltar is a long-standing unresolved historical issue between Spain and Britain. In 2006, the local governments of Spain, Britain and Gibraltar signed the Cordoba Declaration within the framework of tripartite talks, while the Spanish government firmly opposed the tripartite talks, believing that this framework raised the local government of Gibraltar to the same level as the Spanish and British governments.

Magallo said that the Spanish government may strengthen the entry and exit supervision in the border area between Spain and Gibraltar in the future, and may even levy entry and exit fees. In addition, the crackdown on tax evasion by Gibraltarians living in Spain will be intensified.

Regarding the tough stance of the Spanish government, the British Foreign Office issued a statement pointing out that the differences between the two sides on the Gibraltar issue can be resolved through political means.

Spanish fishermen will demonstrate near the disputed waters off Gibraltar to protest against the Gibraltar government's construction of artificial islands and reefs. Spain accused the artificial islands and reefs of "destroying" the fishery resources in this area. Fishermen say artificial islands and reefs limit their fishing rights. According to local media reports, fishermen have begun to gather and there are a large number of police at the scene. Dozens of fishing boats are about to sail.

In the past few weeks, the dispute over artificial islands and reefs has caused tension between Britain, Gibraltar and Spain. The Spanish government accused Gibraltar of "no right to build artificial islands and reefs in waters that do not belong to it". Spain has strengthened its border inspection with Gibraltar and is considering levying a transit fee of 50 euros. Spain indicated that these measures were aimed at cracking down on cigarette smuggling. However, Britain criticized Spain for violating the EU regulations on the free movement of people. Britain hopes to solve the dispute with Spain through political dialogue.

Meanwhile, the Royal Navy frigate "Westminster" departed from Portsmouth last weekend and is scheduled to arrive in Gibraltar on Monday. The British Ministry of Defence called this a routine visit. Royal Gibraltar naval base

Gibraltar is an important military town, and the Strait of Gibraltar is the only channel connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, which is known as the "lifeline" of the West. Especially after the opening of the Suez Canal in19th century, the Strait of Gibraltar became a shortcut for shipping between the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The Strait of Gibraltar has become one of the busiest sea routes in the world. Ships from Western European and Nordic countries to countries along the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean generally pass through the Strait of Gibraltar-Mediterranean-Suez Canal-Mande Strait. Ships carrying oil from the Persian Gulf are also transported to Western European and Nordic countries through the Strait of Gibraltar. Britain is in charge of direct defense. 1In August 1999, Britain had 60 army personnel, 120 Royal Air Force personnel and 270 marines in Gibraltar. There is also a reserve corps composed of local volunteers,1998,350.

From a military point of view, the Strait of Gibraltar is the main route for the US Navy's Sixth Fleet and NATO navies to enter and leave the Mediterranean Sea. Spain's Rota Naval Base is the base of the US Mediterranean Fleet, which allows the US military to control and block the Gibraltar Strait at any time. The Strait of Gibraltar is also the only way for the Russian Black Sea Fleet to enter and leave the Atlantic Ocean. The Strait of Gibraltar is also of great oceanographic value. The seawater in the Strait is divided into two layers. The seawater over 200 meters flows from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, and the seawater with higher salinity flows from the Mediterranean Sea to the seabed at a depth of 200 meters. This alternating flow of seawater has a great influence on the climate, hydrology and biological resources of the Mediterranean.