Breaking News English

EU angers UK by calling Gibraltar a 'colony'

Gibraltar - Level 4

The UK objected to the EU calling the island of Gibraltar a "colony". An EU document about UK citizens travelling to the EU after Brexit says: "Gibraltar is a colony of the British Crown. There is a controversy...concerning the sovereignty over Gibraltar, a territory for which a solution has to be reached." The UK replied: "Gibraltar is not a colony and it is completely inappropriate to describe it in this way....Gibraltar is...part of the UK....This will not change."

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory next to Spain's coast. Over 30,000 people live there. In 1704, Britain captured it in a war. Spain gave it to the UK in 1713, but still claims the territory. It wants the EU to exclude Gibraltar from agreements with the UK. Gibraltar voted against a shared UK-Spanish sovereignty by 99% to 1% in 2002. Gibraltar said Spain was a bully. It said Spain's government was "making provocative statements in respect of Gibraltar".

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Gibraltar - Level 5

The UK has objected to the EU's use of the word "colony" to describe the island of Gibraltar. The EU made a document regarding UK citizens travelling to the EU after Brexit. It says in a footnote: "Gibraltar is a colony of the British Crown. There is a controversy between Spain and the UK concerning the sovereignty over Gibraltar, a territory for which a solution has to be reached." The UK replied: "Gibraltar is not a colony and it is completely inappropriate to describe it in this way....Gibraltar is a full part of the UK family....This will not change due to our exit from the EU."

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located between Spain and Morocco. Over 30,000 people live there. In 1704, Britain captured it from Spain. It was handed to the UK in a 1713 treaty. Spain still claims the territory. It wants the EU to exclude Gibraltar from all post-Brexit agreements with the UK. Gibraltar rejected the idea of a shared UK-Spanish sovereignty by 99% to 1% in a 2002 referendum. Gibraltar's Chief Minister accused Spain of bullying. He said: "No one will be surprised to hear the Spanish government making provocative statements in respect of Gibraltar."

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Gibraltar - Level 6

The United Kingdom has objected to the European Union's use of the word "colony" to describe the island of Gibraltar. The European Council (a body that defines the EU's political direction) produced a document regarding UK nationals travelling to the EU after Brexit. It says in a footnote: "Gibraltar is a colony of the British Crown. There is a controversy between Spain and the UK concerning the sovereignty over Gibraltar, a territory for which a solution has to be reached." A UK government spokesperson said: "Gibraltar is not a colony and it is completely inappropriate to describe it in this way. She added: "Gibraltar is a full part of the UK family....This will not change due to our exit from the EU."

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Morocco. It is home to over 30,000 people. In 1704, Anglo-Dutch forces captured it from Spain during a war. Spain handed Gibraltar to Great Britain in a 1713 treaty. However, Spain still asserts a claim to the territory. It wants Gibraltar excluded from all post-Brexit agreements between the UK and the EU. Gibraltar rejected proposals for shared UK-Spanish sovereignty by 99% to 1% in a 2002 referendum. Gibraltar's Chief Minister has accused Spain of bullying. He said: "No one will be surprised to hear the Spanish government making provocative statements in respect of Gibraltar."

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson