Political reporter
FCDO
The UK has finalized an agreement with the European Union regarding Gibraltar’s status after Brexit.
Discussions about the regulations governing the border between Spain and the British Overseas Territory have continued since the UK’s departure from the EU in 2020.
According to the UK, the deal will eliminate the requirement for checks on individuals and goods crossing the Gibraltar-Spain border.
For travelers arriving at Gibraltar’s airport, passport checks will be conducted by both Gibraltar and Spanish authorities.
Spanish border officials will have the authority to deny entry, as British travelers may travel directly into Spain and the EU’s free-travel zone without further screenings.
This setup mirrors the protocol for Eurostar users at London’s St Pancras, where passengers navigate through both UK and French passport control prior to boarding international trains.
David Lammy, the UK Foreign Secretary, stated that the agreement secures British sovereignty and bolsters Gibraltar’s economy.
He noted that this “breakthrough” offers a practical resolution, commenting, “This government inherited a precarious situation from the previous administration that jeopardized Gibraltar’s economy and way of life.”
Fabian Picardo, Chief Minister of Gibraltar, welcomed the agreement, stating, “I have collaborated closely with the UK government during these negotiations to achieve the deal Gibraltar desires – one that ensures our future generations remain protected without compromising our British sovereignty.”
Pedro Sanchez, the Prime Minister of Spain, and Sir Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister, concurred in a phone call on Wednesday evening that the agreement creates significant opportunities to deepen UK-Spain relations.
Downing Street confirmed that Sir Keir also reached out to Picardo to congratulate him on the agreement and express gratitude for “his extensive efforts, dedication, and leadership in reaching this understanding”.
Gibraltar is a small headland of 2.6 square miles situated south of Spain.
The UK has maintained sovereignty over Gibraltar since 1713, although Spain contests this claim, asserting the territory is theirs.
The status of Gibraltar and its border with Spain has been a significant point of contention and has remained unresolved since Brexit.
An estimated 15,000 individuals pass through the Gibraltar-Spain border daily for work and leisure activities.
Currently, residents of Gibraltar can cross using residence cards without requiring passport stamps. Spanish nationals are permitted passage with a government-issued ID card.
However, there are concerns that this arrangement might change with the EU’s Entry/Exit system implementation later this year, which could result in substantial delays at the border.
The UK government stated that all parties reached an agreement clarifying that the final treaty will not affect the territory’s British sovereignty.
Additionally, there will be complete operational autonomy regarding the UK’s military facilities in Gibraltar, where the airport is operated by the Ministry of Defence and houses an RAF base.
Public sentiment in Gibraltar, home to around 32,000 residents, favors maintaining British sovereignty. In the most recent referendum in 2002, nearly 99% of participants opposed a proposal for shared sovereignty with Spain.
The breakthrough followed a meeting between Lammy and Picardo, who convened with his cabinet in Gibraltar prior to their visit to Brussels for discussions with EU and Spanish officials.
Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister José Manuel Albares and the EU’s chief trade negotiator Maros Sefcovic both labeled the deal as “historic,” with Sefcovic stating it “marks a new phase” in EU-UK relations.
All parties have pledged to expedite the completion of a UK-EU treaty text concerning Gibraltar, according to the UK government.
However, the deal faced criticism from Reform UK, with deputy leader Richard Tice stating, “Yet again, this Labour government demonstrates a complete disregard for our overseas territories. It’s another capitulation.”
Priti Patel, the Conservative Party’s shadow foreign secretary, asserted that her party will review the full legal text of the treaty to determine if it aligns with their “red lines”.
“The Conservative Party, in both government and opposition, has always maintained that any agreement must fully safeguard the sovereignty and rights of Gibraltar, and must receive the approval of Gibraltar’s government and populace while also upholding constitutional frameworks. We have consistently opposed any efforts by Spain to obstruct the flow of goods at the border,” she remarked.
“Gibraltar is British, and given Labour’s track record of conceding our territories and paying for the privilege, we will carefully scrutinize all specifics of any agreement reached.”
Calum Miller, foreign affairs spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, stated that the agreement brings the UK “closer to a proper trade deal with the EU,” but emphasized the necessity for Parliament to have the chance to review the details.
