Gibraltarians vote by 96% to remain in EU but attachment to UK prevails

PanARMENIAN.Net - Gibraltarians voted by 96 percent to remain in the European Union but as Brexit looms, they say their attachment to the United Kingdom still prevails, unlike some in Scotland who would rather remain in the bloc, AFP reports.

The tiny British overseas territory on Spain's southern tip has long been the subject of an acrimonious sovereignty row between London and Madrid, which wants Gibraltar back after it was ceded to Britain in 1713.

The Rock fears that Spain may try to take advantage of Britain leaving the EU, a momentous move expected to start Wednesday, March 29 that will also exclude the 32,000-strong territory from the bloc.

In theory, this could make it harder for people from Gibraltar to travel across their only land border to Spain, unless Madrid and London come to a bilateral agreement.

The Rock, which relies on tourism, financial services, online gaming and shipping services, also fears it could harm its economy.

Gibraltar, surrounded by the Mediterranean on one side and the Atlantic on the other, depends on the small land border with Spain for much of its provision of supplies and visitor flow.

Some 10,000 people also make the crossing daily from Spain to work, and they fear that Madrid may make things more difficult at the frontier.

Quick off the mark, Madrid has offered dual citizenship to Gibraltarians in exchange for joint sovereignty of the territory, which would allow them to remain British and in the EU.