Catalonia and Gibraltar : an old couple

The latest Spanish offensive against the Rock, with Catalan moves to recover independence in the background, have brought once more to the fore the relationship between the two territories. Catalan troops were part of the Allied force which liberated the Rock in 1704, and later, in 1714, Spain agreed to cede it “in perpetuity” in exchange, among others, for a withdrawal of Allied troops from Catalonia and an end to the Anglo-Catalan Alliance. Catalan Bay is a reminder of this. History, however, while interesting, is not the only reason why Gibraltar and Catalonia often see their fates intertwined. One is resisting integration into Spain, while the other one is pushing to leave it, in both cases on the basis of the principle of self-determination, anathema to Spain and other countries where might and not right prevail. In the economic arena, Spain has blocked for decades the so called “Mediterranean Corridor”, linking Gibraltar and Catalonia to Europe with fast-speed trains. Also in the economic realm, Madrid has blocked direct flights to Gibraltar and interfered with her airport, while depriving Catalan airports of investment and connecting infrastructure, and doing everything in its hands to prevent their expansion. Catalonia is a key to Gibraltar's security, since the presence of nearby friendly countries is always a bonus when battling the common, or garden, dictators, as Chile's and Brazil's role in 1982 showed. Catalonia and Gibraltar are also key determinants of NATO's ability to contribute to the national security of maritime democracies in the Indian-Pacific Ocean Region, which Spain is damaging by orienting its Armed Forces against civilians, and away from their true purpose.

In order to cover these, and many other aspects, Help Catalonia is starting a series of articles about Catalonia and Gibraltar. Next in the series will be a piece on “Catalans in the origins of Gibraltar”. Keep tuned!