The UK has a agreed a cope with the European Union over Gibraltar’s standing after Brexit.
Talks on guidelines governing the border of Spain and Gibraltar have been ongoing since Britain left the EU in 2020.
The UK stated the settlement would keep away from the necessity for checks on folks and items crossing the Gibraltar-Spain border.
For travellers arriving at Gibraltar airport, passport checks will probably be carried out by Gibraltar and Spanish officers.
That is much like the system in place for Eurostar passengers at London’s St Pancras station, the place travellers move by way of each British and French passport management earlier than boarding worldwide trains.
UK International Secretary David Lammy stated the deal protected British sovereignty and supported Gibraltar’s economic system.
He stated the “breakthrough” delivered a sensible answer, including: “This authorities inherited a scenario from the final authorities which put Gibraltar’s economic system and lifestyle beneath menace.”
Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo additionally welcomed the settlement, saying: “I’ve labored hand in glove with the UK authorities all through this negotiation to ship the deal Gibraltar desires and desires – one that may shield future generations of British Gibraltarians and doesn’t in any manner have an effect on our British sovereignty.”
Spanish International Affairs Minister José Manuel Albares and EU commerce chief Maros Sefcovic each hailed the deal as “historic”, with Sefcovic saying it “reinforces a brand new chapter” within the EU-UK relationship.
All events have dedicated to finalising a UK-EU treaty textual content on Gibraltar as shortly as potential, the UK authorities stated.
Gibraltar, which is a British Abroad Territory, is a 2.6 sq. mile headland to the south of Spain.
The UK has had sovereignty over Gibraltar since 1713, though that is disputed by Spain, who declare the territory as their very own.
The territory’s standing and that of its border with Spain has been a key sticking level and has remained unresolved since Brexit.
An estimated 15,000 folks cross the Gibraltar-Spain border day by day for work and leisure.
At the moment, Gibraltar residents can cross utilizing residence playing cards while not having to have their passports stamped. Spanish residents can cross utilizing a authorities ID card.
However there have been issues this might finish with the introduction of the EU’s Entry/Exit system later this 12 months, inflicting big delays on the border.
The UK stated all sides had agreed a clause making clear the ultimate treaty doesn’t influence the territory’s British sovereignty.
It stated there would even be full operational autonomy of the UK’s army’s services in Gibraltar, the place the airport is run by the Ministry of Defence and hosts an RAF base.
Public opinion in Gibraltar, which has a inhabitants of 32,000 in line with its authorities, is in favour of protecting British sovereignty. The newest referendum, held in 2002, noticed nearly 99% of voters reject a proposal to share sovereignty with Spain.
The breakthrough got here after Lammy met Picardo and his cupboard in Gibraltar earlier, earlier than the pair headed to Brussels for discussions with EU and Spanish ministers.
