The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, has called a meeting with the mayors of Campo de Gibraltar to update them on the negotiations between the European Commission and the United Kingdom regarding Gibraltar’s relationship with the EU post-Brexit. The meeting, scheduled for the following Monday, will include the president of the municipal association, Susana Pérez Custodio, and the mayors of various cities surrounding Gibraltar. This will be the third meeting of its kind, with previous ones held in October 2021 and November 2022 to discuss the same issue.
During the meeting at the ministry, Albares, along with senior officials from his department, will update the local representatives on the progress of negotiations with the UK. Earlier in April, Spanish and British Foreign Ministers, José Manuel Albares and David Cameron, met in Brussels with the Vice President of the European Commission to finalize the “general political guidelines” of the future agreement. Significant progress was made on sensitive issues such as airport usage, movement of goods, and mobility of people with the goal of removing the Verja separating the colony from the Peninsula.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs will face questions about the agreement on Gibraltar in the Senate, specifically regarding whether he plans to meet with the mayors of Campo de Gibraltar to inform them of the key points before signing. The opposition party has criticized Albares for alleged lack of transparency in the negotiations, while the Minister argues that maintaining confidentiality is crucial for the success of the negotiations. Both Spain and the UK aim to finalize the agreement in the upcoming weeks to prevent disruptions caused by the new European Commission and British general elections.
A dispute arose in the UK Parliament when the British Secretary of State for Gibraltar and the director of the UK negotiating team revealed that Gibraltar courts will have to refer to the decisions of the European Court of Justice when interpreting EU regulations and that Frontex personnel will control entries and exits at the Gibraltar airport. The intention is to prevent any delays or setbacks in the negotiations due to upcoming elections in Europe and the UK, which could potentially derail the progress made so far. The urgency to reach an agreement stems from the desire to avoid any disruptions that could arise from changes in political leadership.
The negotiations between the European Commission, the United Kingdom, and Spain regarding Gibraltar’s relationship with the EU post-Brexit are crucial for the residents of Campo de Gibraltar. The meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the mayors of the region aims to update them on the progress made and key issues discussed in the negotiations. The ultimate goal is to dismantle barriers, facilitate movement between Gibraltar and the Peninsula, and ensure that the agreement is finalized in a timely manner to avoid potential disruptions. The willingness of both Spain and the UK to reach a consensus reflects their commitment to finding a mutually beneficial solution for all parties involved.
