A historic political agreement was reached on Wednesday for a treaty on Gibraltar\u2019s post-Brexit relations with the EU.<\/p>\n
The agreement comes after nearly four years of prolonged and intense negotiation and seeks to guarantee fluidity across the border for both people and goods, laying a foundation for cross-border prosperity.<\/p>\n
Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said it represented “a moment of progress, clarity and optimism” for Gibraltar and its people.<\/p>\n
The political agreement between the UK and the EU, which has yet to be turned into a final treaty text, was finalised in Brussels during a high-level meeting between UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, European trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic, Spain\u2019s Minister for Foreign Affairs Jose Manuel Albares and Chief Minister Fabian Picardo.<\/p>\n
A clause agreed by all sides makes “explicitly clear” that the final treaty is without prejudice to the respective legal positions of the UK and Spain in respect of sovereignty and jurisdiction.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe main objective of the future agreement is to secure the future prosperity of the whole region,\u201d the four negotiating parties said in a joint statement. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis will be done by removing 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will bring confidence and legal certainty to the lives and well-being of the people of the whole region by promoting shared prosperity and close and constructive relations between the Gibraltar and Spanish authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018DUAL BORDER CHECKS\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n The agreement foresees a fluid border between Gibraltar and Spain that will not require checks on people crossing.<\/p>\n The parties have agreed to establish \u201cdual Gibraltar and Schengen border checks\u201d at Gibraltar\u2019s port and airport, to be carried out in full cooperation between the EU and UK\/Gibraltar authorities, removing all checks at the border between Gibraltar and La Linea for the many thousands of people who travel across daily in both directions. <\/p>\n \u201cFor the EU, full Schengen checks will be carried out by Spain,\u201d the joint statement said. <\/p>\n \u201cFor the UK, full Gibraltar checks will continue to be carried out as they are today.\u201d<\/p>\n The parties have also agreed arrangements for visas and permits and close cooperation between the police and law enforcement authorities. <\/p>\n On goods, the parties agreed on the principles underpinning a future bespoke customs union between the EU and Gibraltar, \u201cproviding for strong cooperation between the respective customs authorities and removing checks on goods\u201d. <\/p>\n There was also agreement on the principles of indirect taxation to be applied in Gibraltar, including on tobacco, that \u201cwill avoid distortions and contribute to the prosperity of the whole region\u201d, the joint statement said. <\/p>\n \u201cOther important areas of the future EU\/UK agreement include level playing field commitments on state aid, taxation, labour, environment, trade and sustainable development, anti-money laundering, and transport \u2013 including the airport; the rights of frontier workers and social security coordination.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSpecific cooperation will also be included in environmental matters.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe creation of an appropriate financial mechanism to promote cohesion and support training and employment in the region has also been agreed.\u201d<\/p>\n In a separate statement, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said immigration and law and order in Gibraltar \u201cwill remain the exclusive responsibility of Gibraltar\u2019s authorities\u201d.<\/p>\n “Spanish officials will be responsible for ensuring the integrity of the Schengen Area, in a model similar to French police operating in London\u2019s St Pancras station,\u201d the FCDO statement said.<\/p>\n The agreement also guarantees “full operational autonomy of the UK\u2019s military facilities in Gibraltar”, which play a vital role in protecting regional security and important trade routes, the FCDO statement added.<\/p>\n The agreement also opens up the opportunity for flights to operate from Gibraltar airport to EU destinations, “increasing Gibraltar\u2019s connectivity to the continent and improving its prosperity”.\u202f <\/p>\n The announcement came with little detail on the actual content of the treaty text itself, which is well advanced but has yet to be finalised before being translated into the EU\u2019s 24 languages and undergoing legal checks.<\/p>\n Only once that is completed will the treaty be signed and published, a normal process that will likely take several more months, not least because the Commission shuts down for August.<\/p>\n Once that is completed, the treaty will have to be ratified by the UK, EU and Gibraltar parliaments.<\/p>\n Mr Sefcovic told reporters the treaty would be \u201cswiftly\u201d finalised by negotiators.<\/p>\n He said he was \u201cabsolutely convinced\u201d the final treaty would be ratified \u201cbecause it is a good agreement\u201d that addressed \u201cevery little detail\u201d.<\/p>\n DAWN START<\/p>\n The prospect of a significant announcement on Wednesday became evident when the Foreign Secretary flew to Gibraltar accompanied by Europe Minister Stephen Doughty late on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n The two travelled to the Rock on a UK Government passenger plane used to ferry UK Royals and ministers on official business, adorned with a union flag on its tailfin.<\/p>\n UK officials were at pains to temper expectations, stressing the negotiations were still under way.<\/p>\n But the highly unusual trip made clear something was afoot.<\/p>\n Mr Lammy and Mr Doughty participated in a cabinet meeting in No.6 Convent Place to agree the final parameters for the negotiation.<\/p>\n They also met with the Leader of the Opposition, Keith Azopardi, and with business and labour representatives, hearing directly from them about their hopes and concerns about Gibraltar\u2019s relationship with the EU after Brexit.<\/p>\n From there they boarded the plane at Gibraltar International Airport together with the Gibraltar delegation and flew to Brussels.<\/p>\n The meeting with Mr Sefcovic and Mr Albares started a little behind schedule but was in any event short. <\/p>\n By 4.45pm, it was clear they were finally in agreement after a protected and complex negotiation that commenced in October 2021.<\/p>\n Mr Lammy said the agreement was a \u201cbreakthrough\u201d after years of uncertainty and that the UK\u2019s commitment to Gibraltar \u201cremains as solid as the Rock itself\u201d.<\/p>\n “This government inherited a situation from the last government which put Gibraltar\u2019s economy and way of life under threat. Today\u2019s breakthrough delivers a practical solution after years of uncertainty,” he said.<\/p>\n \u201cAlongside the Government of Gibraltar, we have a reached an agreement which protects British sovereignty, supports Gibraltar\u2019s economy and allows businesses to plan for the long-term once again. <\/p>\n \u201cI thank the Chief Minister and his Government for their tireless dedication throughout the negotiations. The UK\u2019s commitment to Gibraltar remains as solid as the Rock itself.\u201d <\/p>\n Chief minister Fabian Picardo called the deal a \u201chistoric agreement\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m delighted we have finalised a conclusive political agreement which will bring legal certainty to the people of Gibraltar, its businesses and to those across the region who rely on stability at the frontier,” he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI have worked hand in glove with the UK Government throughout this negotiation to deliver the deal Gibraltar wants and needs \u2013 one that will protect future generations of British Gibraltarians and does not in any way affect our British sovereignty.”<\/p>\n \u201cNow is the time to look beyond the arguments of the past and towards a time of renewed cooperation and understanding. Now the deal is done, it\u2019s time to finalise the treaty.\u201d <\/p>\n “As the only UK overseas territory which shares a border with the EU, today\u2019s political agreement provides a practical solution for the unique situation faced by the people of Gibraltar whose livelihoods depend on a fluid border.”<\/p>\n Mr Picardo said the agreement \u201cwill not depart from any fundamental principle\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is about our future relationship with the European Union and with our nearest EU neighbour, Spain,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt has come about because the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in 2016.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe UK already obtained its trade deal and this is Gibraltar\u2019s own trade and mobility deal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Government of Gibraltar extends its sincere gratitude to all those who have worked tirelessly and with unwavering dedication over many years to help deliver this historic treaty.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe also wish to thank all those who have stood by Gibraltar throughout these negotiations, within the UK Government, across European institutions, and here at home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis agreement is a moment of progress, of clarity, and of optimism for our nation and our people.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cIt also presents a chance for re-set between us and Spain which can lead to economic and social partnership and cooperation over confrontation.\u201d<\/p>\n Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares echoed the messages from the UK camp.<\/p>\n “With this agreement, the fence \u2014 the last wall in continental Europe \u2014 will disappear, and the free movement of people and goods is guaranteed,\u201d Mr Albares said, although while some of the border fence will be removed once checks are lifted there, most of the border will remain fence given it is adjacent to military and airport infrastructure.<\/p>\n “Today we have reached a historic agreement” that “marks a before and after for stability, cooperation and well-being,” and “is also a new beginning in the relationship between Spain and the United Kingdom,” he told reporters.<\/p>\n Mr Albares said “a shared prosperity zone has been achieved (…), with the 15,000 people who travel daily between Gibraltar and the Campo de Gibraltar and the 300,000 Andalusians in the area in mind.”<\/p>\n Maros Sefcovic, the EU trade commissioner and chief negotiator for the Gibraltar treaty, said the agreement \u201cclearly reflects a strategic and cooperative approach\u201d by the UK and the EU \u201caimed at strengthening our relations\u201d after Brexit and \u201creinforces a new chapter in our relationship\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no alternative given today\u2019s realities and challenges,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also welcomed news of the agreement.<\/p>\n “Today is a great day for the Campo de Gibraltar,” he said, underscoring that Spain’s core position on sovereignty – which the UK and Gibraltar rejevt – remained unchanged.<\/p>\n The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, also reacted to news of the agreement.<\/p>\n In a post on X, she said: \u201cIt safeguards the integrity of Schengen and the Single Market, while ensuring stability, legal certainty and prosperity for the region.\u201d<\/p>\n This is a developing story. Check back for updates.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A historic political agreement was reached on Wednesday for a treaty on Gibraltar\u2019s post-Brexit relations with the EU.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":176604,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5226],"tags":[802,748,2000,299,5187,1699,4884,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-176603","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-brexit","8":"tag-brexit","9":"tag-britain","10":"tag-eu","11":"tag-europe","12":"tag-european","13":"tag-european-union","14":"tag-great-britain","15":"tag-uk","16":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114666697490759102","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176603","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=176603"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176603\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/176604"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=176603"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=176603"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=176603"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}