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Britain, Spain, and the EU say that they have reached “a conclusive political agreement” on the main points of a post-Brexit deal on Gibraltar.
The announcement followed a meeting in Brussels yesterday (11 June) attended by European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, British foreign minister David Lammy, Spain’s foreign minister José Manuel Albares, and Gibraltar’s chief minister Fabian Picardo.
A statement from the commission said that negotiating teams would move “swiftly” to finalise the full legal text for signature and ratification by all parties.
It added that the agreement was “without prejudice” to the respective legal positions of Spain and Britain on sovereignty and jurisdiction.
Physical barriers removed
The deal will remove all physical barriers, checks, and controls on persons and goods circulating between Spain and Gibraltar, while preserving the Schengen area, the EU single market and customs union.
There will be dual Gibraltar and Schengen border checks at Gibraltar port and airport – to be carried out “in full co-operation” between the EU and British/Gibraltar authorities.
This will remove all checks at the crossing point between Gibraltar and La Linea in Spain for the thousands of people who travel across daily in both directions.
The parties also agreed on the principles underpinning a future customs union between the EU and Gibraltar, providing for “strong co-operation” between the respective customs authorities and removing checks on goods.
The draft agreement also includes ‘level playing-field’ commitments on State aid, taxation, labour, environment, trade, and sustainable development, anti-money-laundering, and transport – including the airport.
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