Political journalist
FcdoThe United Kingdom has concluded an agreement with the European Union on the status of Gibraltar after Brexit.
The talks on rules governing the border between Spain and the British territory abroad continued since the United Kingdom left the EU in 2020.
The United Kingdom said that the agreement would avoid the need for checks on people and goods crossing the Gibraltar-Spain border.
For travelers arriving at Gibraltar airport, passport checks will be made by Gibraltar and Spanish officials.
Spanish borders could deny the entrance because it would be possible for British arrivals to continue their trips to Spain and the EU free-movement area without any other verification.
This is similar to the system in place for Eurostar passengers at St Pancras in London, where travelers go through the control of British and French passports before getting on the international trains.
British Foreign Minister David Lammy said the agreement protected British sovereignty and supported Gibraltar’s economy.
He said that the “breakthrough” provided a practical solution, adding: “This government inherited a situation of the last government which put the economy and lifestyle of Gibraltar threatened.”
The chief minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo also praised the agreement, saying: “I worked my hand in the Glove with the British government throughout this negotiation to transmit the agreement that Gibraltar wants and needs – the one that will protect the future generations of British Gibraltarians and in no way affect our British sovereignty.”
The Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer agreed during a phone call on Wednesday evening that the agreement “unlocks important opportunities to strengthen relations with the British spa”.
Downing Street said Sir Keir also called Picardo to congratulate him on the agreement and thank him for “his fierce years of work, commitment and leadership to achieve an agreement”.
Gibraltar is a 2.6 -mile square promontory in the south of Spain.
The United Kingdom has had sovereignty over Gibraltar since 1713, although this has been challenged by Spain, which claims the territory as their own.
The status of the territory and that of its border with Spain was a key collation point and did not remain unresolved from Brexit.
It is estimated that 15,000 people pass through the Gibraltar-Spail border every day for work and leisure.
Currently, Gibraltar residents can cross using residence cards without having to buffer their passports. Spanish citizens can cross an identity card of the government.
But there were concerns, it would end with the introduction of the EU entry / exit system later this year, causing enormous delays on the border.
The United Kingdom said that all parties had agreed that a clause clearly indicating that the final treaty has no impact on British sovereignty of the territory.
He said there would also be a complete operational autonomy of the United Kingdom’s military facilities in Gibraltar, where the airport is led by the Ministry of Defense and hosts a RAF base.
Public opinion in Gibraltar, which has around 32,000 inhabitants, is in favor of maintaining British sovereignty. The most recent referendum, held in 2002, saw that almost 99% of voters reject a proposal for sharing sovereignty with Spain.
The breakthrough occurred after Lammy met Picardo and his cabinet in Gibraltar earlier, before the couple went to Brussels for discussions with the EU and the Spanish ministers.
The Minister of Spanish Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, and the head of the EU trade, Maros Sefcovic, both praised the agreement as “historic”, with Sefcovic affirming that he “strengthens a new chapter” in the UE-UK relationship.
All parties have undertaken to finalize a text of the United Kingdom treaty on Gibraltar as quickly as possible, said the British government.
However, Reform UK criticized the agreement, deputy chief Richard Tice saying: “Once again, this Labor government has shown total contempt for our foreign territories. This is another surrender.”
The Minister of Conservative Foreign Affairs, Priti Patel, said that his party would examine the full legal text of the Treaty to see if he met their “red lines”.
“The conservative party in the government, and now in opposition, has always been clear that any agreement must guarantee that the sovereignty and the rights of Gibraltar are safeguarded in full and must carry the support of the government and the people of Gibraltar, as well as to protect constitutional arrangements.
“Gibraltar is British, and taking into account the assessment of the work to restore our territory and pay the privilege, we will carefully examine all the details of any agreement.”
The spokesperson for liberal-democrats foreign affairs, Calum Miller, said that the agreement has compared the United Kingdom “of a step closer to a trade agreement with the EU”, but added that “it is essential that Parliament has the possibility of scrutinizing details”.
