Disputes – International

In 2002, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to reject any "shared sovereignty" arrangement between the UK and Spain. The Government of Gibraltar insists on equal participation in talks between the two countries. Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant Gibraltar greater autonomy.

Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Archipelago (British Indian Ocean Territory), and its former inhabitants since their eviction in 1965; most Chagossians reside in Mauritius, and in 2001 were granted UK citizenship, where some have since resettled. In May 2006, the High Court of London reversed the UK Government's 2004 orders of council that banned habitation on the islands.

The UK rejects sovereignty talks requested by Argentina, which still claims the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. Territorial claim in Antarctica (British Antarctic Territory) overlaps Argentine claim and partially overlaps Chilean claim.

Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm.

Illicit Drugs

The UK is a producer of limited amounts of synthetic drugs and synthetic precursor chemicals. It is also major consumer of Southwest Asian heroin, Latin American cocaine and synthetic drugs. The UK has also become a money-laundering centre for crime syndicates.