Europe

Gibraltar (British Overseas Territory)
Last reviewed: 24 February 2009

Country information

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International relations

Gibraltar is within the European Community by virtue of Article 299(4) of the Treaty of Rome that established the European Community. However, under the UK's Act of Accession to the EC Gibraltar is excluded from four areas of Community policy: the Community Customs Territory and Common Commercial Policy (and thus Community rules on the free movement of goods, do not apply); the Common Agricultural Policy; the Common Fisheries Policy; and the requirement to levy VAT. Gibraltarians have rights of free movement within the EU. While the UK Government is ultimately responsible under the Treaty for the Implementation of Community Law in Gibraltar, EC measures are usually implemented within the territory by means of local legislation enacted by the Gibraltar legislature.

The Gibraltar electorate voted for the first time in the European Parliament elections in June 2004. 57.54% of Gibraltarians voted. The franchise for European elections was extended to the Gibraltar electorate in order to comply with a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights in February 1999. This objective was achieved by means of the European Parliament Representation Act 2003, which received Royal Assent on 8 May 2003, and accompanying regulations. These provided for the creation of a new electoral region combining Gibraltar with the existing South West England electoral region. The constitutional nature and relationship of the United Kingdom and Gibraltar remained unchanged.

Gibraltar's representation in the UK

The Government of Gibraltar has a London Office at:

150 The Strand
London
WC2R 1JA
Tel: 020 7836 0777
Fax: 020 7240 6612
Email: info@gibraltar.gov.uk