Spain bans May from signing Brexit deal in Brussels

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Spain stood between Theresa May and a Brexit deal, threatening to derail an EU summit on Sunday if it did not have new assurances about its influence on the future of Gibraltar .

While negotiations between Spanish, British and EU officials continued on Saturday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he was ready to thwart the hopes of his British counterpart, May, to see European leaders sign their promises of close relations with London after Britain leaves the bloc in March if he has not got his way.

Brussels diplomats and representatives of other European governments said they did not believe that Madrid would upset Sunday's meticulous choreography, while May and her 27 EU counterparts will visit the city a few hours earlier. But they also heard energetic words from Spanish ministers who dissuaded them from calling Sanchez's bluff without further dialogue.

During a visit to Cuba, Mr. Sanchez said that he had still not received assurances that any future decision regarding Gibraltar would be made during direct talks between London and Madrid.

"The guarantees are still not sufficient and Spain maintains its right of veto on Brexit. If there is an agreement, then it will be lifted, "he said. "If there is no agreement … the European Council will probably not take place."

Spain can expect its European allies to be more clearly behind its claims for 300 years of sovereignty over "The Rock", a British naval base on the country's southern coast, with a population of around 30,000. whose economy is facing serious problems after Brexit.

But the treaty documents recently agreed between Brussels and London need to be amended to give greater weight to Spain over its implementation against Gibraltar and the resistance of Britain and the Allies. from the EU who fear that any building of the long-negotiated agreement will collapse.

"PEOPLE PROUD"

Diplomats said they had no doubts about the passion behind Spain's arguments when advisers to the 27 European leaders gathered in Brussels on Friday to prepare for the summit: "The Spaniards are very proud of themselves and they are very proud of this. is absolutely important to them, "said one of the participants in the discussions. told Reuters.

"We must have a solution. I am sure we will have one.

Some in Brussels stress that Sanchez is fighting for regional elections in Andalusia, the neighboring province of Gibraltar, next week-end, and may wish to play on the issue for his personal consumption.

For him, forcing the cancellation of the summit or dragging it beyond the morning, would provoke the anger of his peers.

May will meet the European CEO, Jean-Claude Juncker, Saturday at 18 hours. (1700 GMT), and the diplomats say this should be the moment when they confirm that the Gibraltar issue is settled. May will then meet with Summit President Donald Tusk.

In Germany, a government spokesman said he was confident that a solution would be found in time for Sunday's summit.

Berlin had previously stated that there could be no more technical negotiations at the summit and that Chancellor Angela Merkel might ignore them if not all the texts were ready in advance.

The biggest obstacle to the Brexit deal is vehement opposition in the UK Parliament. Without its approval, Britain could leave the bloc on March 29 without an agreement to mitigate the economic and legal turmoil.