EU labels Gibraltar as "British colony" in its offer of visas to London

The Diplomat Gibraltar is listed as a "British colony" in the document of the European Union that includes the proposal so that British citizens can travel without a visa to the Schengen area after Brexit. The decision, promoted by Spain and adopted yesterday by the Twenty-seven in the Committee of Permanent Representatives, has caused discomfort in the Government of Theresa May, who has stressed that "Gibraltar is not a colony". In The Rock, its chief minister, Fabian Picardo, believes that it is a "provocation" and described it as "completely unacceptable", stating that "Gibraltar's international legal status is not an issue that is subject to different interpretations". Picardo recalled that they have always tried to stop Gibraltar from appearing in the United Nations on the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories pending decolonization and to be allowed to exercise the right to self-determination, something that Spain has always opposed. The text approved yesterday must now be submitted to the European Parliament and regulates the visa exemption of a maximum of 90 days, to enter the EU to British citizens or overseas colonies in this country, among which includes expressly to Gibraltar. In particular, in a footnote, the document states: "Gibraltar is a colony of the British Crown. There is a dispute between Spain and the United Kingdom regarding the sovereignty of Gibraltar, a territory for which a solution must be found in light of the relevant resolutions and decisions of the United Nations". If the withdrawal from the United Kingdom occurs without agreement on March 29, the scheduled date of the Brexit, this initiative would take effect on March 30. However, if an agreement is closed, the plan would be adopted after the conclusion of the transition period, which will in principle extend from the date when London leaves the EU until 31 December 2020 and during which time the Community legislation in the United Kingdom.

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