2. Spain and the United Kingdom: The Ongoing Gibraltar Tussle
The dispute over Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, has been a longstanding source of tension between Spain and the United Kingdom. Spain has periodically asserted its claim over Gibraltar, leading to diplomatic disagreements and occasional confrontations. For instance, in 2015, Spanish government vessels entered British Gibraltar territorial waters without notification, prompting strong protests from the UK government (theguardian.com).
In June 2025, the UK and Spain reached a “historic” agreement concerning Gibraltar’s future, aiming to ease movement across the border and address post-Brexit challenges. This deal introduced dual passport checks at Gibraltar’s airport and eliminated checks on people and goods crossing the land border between Spain and Gibraltar. Despite these developments, Spain’s position on Gibraltar’s sovereignty remains unchanged, emphasizing that the agreement does not imply any renunciation or modification of Spain’s legal stance regarding Gibraltar.
