Portugal's MoD calls on Spain to hand over Olivença
Last Friday, Portugal's Minister of Defence reignited a territorial dispute with nuestros hermanos across the border. Wait, what?
What?
Last Friday, the Portuguese Minister of Defence, Nuno Melo, reignited a centuries-old territorial dispute between Portugal and Spain around the municipality of Olivença.
Speaking from a military barrack in Estremoz, 67 km from the disputed town, he declared : “Olivença is Portuguese, of course.”
He continued: “As far as Olivenza is concerned, the Portuguese state does not recognise it as Spanish territory”, adding it is “not a question of yesterday, but of today.”
Nuno Melo recalled that he already defended this issue when he was a member of the European Parliament, so he is not willing to give up this claim.
What’s the dispute about?
Olivença or Olivenza (in Castilian) is a 12,000-people town close to the Portugal–Spain border.
The town was part of the Portuguese territory until 1801, when Spanish troops occupied it and took legal control of it under the Treaty of Badajoz (which Portugal was forced to sign).
Portugal claims that Spain’s invasion of Portugal in 1807, in violation of the Treaty, and the Treaty of Paris of 1814, made the Treaty of Badajoz null and void.
Portugal further bases its claim on Article 105 of the Treaty of Vienna of 1815 (which Spain ratified in 1817) that states that the winning countries are “committed to employ the mightiest conciliatory effort to return Olivenza to Portuguese authority” and that the winning countries “recognize that the return of Olivenza and its territories must be done”.
But Spain hasn’t done it, arguing that Article 105 is not mandatory and that the territory is now fully integrated into its territory (territorial integrity obviously being a sensitive issue to Spain).
Does any one care?
Not really. While both nations maintain their respective claims to the territory, the issue does not actively strain relations or dominate diplomatic discussions.
In other words, they’ve agreed to disagree. Since 2014 the citizens from Olivença can claim dual nationality (PÚBLICO says 716 people have requested it) and there’s now a bridge linking the town to Portugal (fully financed by Portugal, though).
So why did he bring up the issue?
He said that he only expressed a long-held personal view, pointing out that he had already brought the issue as a Member in the European Parliament.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs refused to comment, suggesting that it didn’t want to delve on the issue. Internal politics may also be at play.
It’s worth mentioning that the current MoD, Nuno Melo, is the leader of the right-wing Christian Democratic party (CDS-PP), which has lost many voters to CHEGA.
Such nationalist rhetoric may be an attempt to get these voters back (especially, in the pre-electoral context that Portugal is now).
Second, as mentioned last week, the school year has not gotten off to a great start due teacher shortages. This controversial statement might be yet another attempt by the Government to divert attentions from this issue.
Is this the only territorial dispute between Portugal and Spain?
Sorta. Controversy has also arisen over the Selvagens Islands, which are part of the Madeira Archipelago.
The dispute arises over the maritime boundaries and the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) that extend from the islands - which grants the country rights to exploit resources (such as fishing and oil) up to 200 nautical miles from the shore.
Since the maritime zones around these islands and the Canary Islands overlap, Spain claims that the islands are not “inhabitable” and therefore should not have an EEZ.
In turn, Portugal maintains that the Selvagens are indeed islands under international law and are entitled to their own EEZ.
What were the reactions?
The remarks have drawn criticism from both sides of the border. Manuel Joss Gonzalez Andrade, the mayor of Olivenza has urged Saturday Melo to abandon "speeches that raise walls and cause divisions," according to local media.
Andrade emphasized that the residents of Olivenza are proud of their history and content with their current status.
Meanwhile, the leader of the Socialist Party, Pedro Nuno Santos, rejected the minister’s statements, which he said were “extremely serious” and had “an impact on foreign policy”, especially on diplomatic relations with Spain.
He demanded responsibility from the Prime Minister, Luis Montenegro.