Iberia: Spain and Portugal

Abstract

Both Spain and Portugal are strongly pro-European countries. After decades of relative isolation and socio-economic backwardness under authoritarian rule, in 1986 they simultaneously joined the then European Community as a way to support their democratisation, modernisation and international reorientation (see Royo and Manuel, 2003). Since their ‘return to Europe’, the two countries have been committed EU members, both being part of the Schengen and Euro areas as well as supporting advances in foreign and security cooperation. Located on the southern fringe of Europe, with less developed economies than their Northern partners, but with rich national histories that give them special ties to many countries around the world, the two Iberian neighbours have often held similar views and worked closely together within the EU, particularly for greater social and economic cohesion as well as stronger relations with countries around the Mediterranean and in Latin America. Madrid has, however, embraced deeper European integration in a more determined way than Lisbon, particularly on security and defence matters. While Spain has tended to be closer to a more Europeanist line as seen in countries such as Germany and France, Portugal has shown more affinities with the Atlanticist leanings of the Netherlands or the UK. Greater Atlanticism has been a way for Portugal to try and differentiate itself from its bigger and only neighbour as well as balancing more continentalist perspectives in Europe in general (see Algieri and Regelsberger, 1996; Rodrigues and García Pérez, 2011). Both countries also have important socio-economic links with the UK, especially in trade, migration and tourism. However, while Portugal has historical ties of friendship with Britain, based on a centuries old alliance that is now mostly symbolic but still valued, Madrid and London have kept a relatively low profile diplomatic relationship, in part a result of the deep-rooted dispute over Gibraltar. It is against this backdrop that Spain and Portugal approached Britain’s renegotiation, referendum and vote to leave the EU.