The agreement was criticised by Gibraltar politicians for limiting the participation of Gibraltarians in their self-determination.
The Lisbon Agreement, 1980, did not provide an immediate solution to the problems resulting from the blockade of Gibraltar that had been imposed by Francisco Franco in 1969.
The border did not reopen as planned, and London and Madrid continued to disagree over the interpretation of the agreement.
Spain's admittance to NATO and the EEC provided the impetus that finally broke the deadlock in 1984.
[3] Under the agreement, the United Kingdom and Spain would hold talks over Gibraltar, and the British were prepared to negotiate on sovereignty.