The chant of ‘Gibraltar Spanish‘ in celebration of the Euro 2024 has caused the reaction of the Rock Government. He calls it “stale and offensiveFor Gibraltar’s Prime Minister Fabian Picardo, victory has been mixed with a song that “glorifies the dictatorial policy of a mass murderer like Franco and the attempt of his fascist regime to usurp a neighbouring territory.” The Gibraltarian concludes his post on social network X with a “The Rock is ours.” But who exactly is it? Gibraltar and Whose has it been? along its history.

To address this issue we must go back to the War of the Spanish Successionfollowing the appointment of Philip Vnicknamed the Courageous. Originally from Versailles, he was the son of Louis Dauphin of France and Maria Anna Victoria of Bavaria. Philip V He came to the throne after the death in 1700 of King Charles II, commonly known as ‘The Bewitched’ and who left no descendants. He then drew on his great-nephew who was also the grandson of the French king Louis XIV (Bourbon) and the Spanish Philip IV (Austria).

The War of Succession, an international war

This caused a international conflict between the houses of Bourbon and Austria, since on the side of the latter was Archduke Charles of Habsburg, claiming his blood ties with Charles II and his right to the Spanish crown. This international conflict It also became internal: Castile supported the Bourbons and Aragon the Austrians. This led to a war during the early years of the 18th century which changed the political map of Europe.

England and Holland They sided with Archduke Charles and a squadron of English and Dutch soldiers arrived in Gibraltar to conquer it in his name. The Queen of England’s intention was to expel its inhabitants, name it a free port and appoint a governor.

Treaty of Utrecht

The conflict ended on April 11, 1713 with the signing of the well-known Treaty of Utrecht in which England recognized Philip VBut the signing did not come for free. There were territorial costs.

“Spain lost the Netherlands, Naples, Sardinia, Milan, Sicily, Menorca and Gibraltar, and the supremacy of American trade,” the Ministry of Culture said. As for Gibraltar, the aforementioned document indicated the transfer of five zones: “the city and castle of Gibraltar together with its harbour, defences and forts belonging thereto”. Here is the theme.

The Spanish Government recalls that the isthmus, the adjacent waters or the overlying airspace was never ceded by Spain and “has always remained under Spanish sovereignty”. Thus, it considers that “occupation of the isthmus is illegal and contrary to international law and, therefore, has always demanded its return without conditions” and recalls that “it does not recognize the occupation of the isthmus or the fence as a border.”

On the other hand, while the United Kingdom and the Rock consider Gibraltar to be “British territorial waters” the sea surrounding the colony, Spain maintains that these waters are under Spanish sovereignty because they were not ceded in the Treaty of Utrecht of 1713, but rather it affects only the city, the castle and “its port, defenses and fortresses.”

What is Gibraltar

So the answer to the question of what is Gibraltar It’s different depending on who you ask it to:

  • He Government of Spain maintains that Gibraltar is a cologne British rule on Spanish territory and “demands that this territory be returned to it and fully supports the provisions of the United Nations on this issue.”
  • The UN includes it in the list of non-autonomous territories of the United Nations and designates the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as the administering powers.
  • United Kingdom It calls it a “British Overseas Territory” and recognises its Governor and “his duties as Her Majesty’s Representative in Gibraltar”.

In this context, there is pending an agreement on Gibraltar following the UK’s exit from the European Union. The last meeting between the three powers took place in May and ended inconclusively.