Spain and the United Kingdom have held a meeting in Brussels to discuss the status of the British colony of Gibraltar with the EU after Brexit. Despite six hours of discussions and progress being made, no final agreement was reached. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to working together to reach an overall EU-UK agreement. The negotiations have been ongoing for two and a half years, with recent advancements made on issues such as mobility of goods and the airport. The meeting included the Spanish Foreign Minister, the British counterpart, the Vice President of the Commission, and the Chief Minister of Gibraltar. Although the atmosphere was constructive and there were significant advances, a final agreement has yet to be reached.
Both Spain and the UK are optimistic about reaching an agreement that will bring confidence, legal certainty, and stability to the region, protecting and enhancing the economy, trade, mobility, and well-being. The Spanish Minister emphasized the importance of ensuring the well-being of the 200,000 Spaniards in the Campo de Gibraltar. Discussions have also included local officials and economic actors in the region to address any potential issues and avoid incidents seen in the past. Despite the positive developments in the negotiations, no specific timeline has been set for reaching a final agreement, and obstacles remain that prevented a deal from being reached during the recent meeting in Brussels.
The meeting in Brussels aimed to establish a political agreement, with further technical work required to finalize the text of the agreement. The complexity and detail of the final document mean that additional time may be needed to reach a final agreement. The negotiations have been ongoing for two and a half years, with both sides looking to take advantage of the current window of opportunity before changes in the European Commission and upcoming elections in the UK. The agreement is expected to address historical positions on the sovereignty of Gibraltar and eliminate the border separating the British colony from Spain, along with regulating other aspects that may take years to implement.
The agreement will involve Frontex, the European border agency, overseeing control of travelers entering Gibraltar, who will then be able to move freely within the Schengen area under the supervision of Spanish security forces. Both Spain and the UK see the agreement as a way to address longstanding issues and improve relations between the two countries. Despite the challenges and complexities of reaching a final agreement, both sides remain committed to continuing negotiations and working towards a comprehensive deal that benefits all parties involved.
