ABSTRACT
In 1973, Gibraltar joined the European Economic Community as it was then, at the same time as the UK. The population of Gibraltar has traditionally been far more enthusiastic about the European Union (EU) than their British counterparts on the UK mainland. When EU common format number plates for vehicles were introduced, people in Gibraltar paid to change their plates from the traditional ones to the EU ones. Gibraltar has received some 60 million euros in EU funding for private and public sector projects over the years, mainly under the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund. It is imperative, in the event that the UK formally notifies the EU of its intention to leave under Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon, that the wishes of the government and the people of Gibraltar are fully taken into account in the subsequent negotiations.
