The European Union and Britain have agreed to a fluid border between Gibraltar and Spain, clearing the way to finalise a post-Brexit deal on the territory with the EU.
Under the agreement, checks will not be required on people crossing the border.
There will be dual border control checks for arrivals by air at Gibraltar airport, carried out by Gibraltar and Spanish officials.
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UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the deal protected British sovereignty and supported Gibraltar's economy.
ReplyDeleteIn 2002, when the residents of Gibraltar spoke out against the "joint sovereignty" of Spain and the United Kingdom, it received the status of a British overseas territory. The United Kingdom uses it as a military base. Spain does not recognize British sovereignty over Gibraltar.
ReplyDeleteGibraltar was officially assigned to Great Britain in 1713 during the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714).
ReplyDeleteGibraltar's chief minister Fabian Picardo said he was "delighted" about the agreement that will bring "legal certainty to the people of Gibraltar, its businesses and to those across the region who rely on stability at the frontier."
ReplyDeleteSpanish Foreign Affairs Minister José Manuel Albares and EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic both hailed the deal as "historic", with Sefcovic saying it "reinforces a new chapter" in the EU-UK relationship.
ReplyDeleteConservative shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said her party would examine the full legal text of the treaty to see if it met their "red lines".
ReplyDelete"The Conservative Party in government, and now in opposition has always been clear that any deal must ensure that the sovereignty and rights of Gibraltar are safeguarded in full and must carry the support of the government and people of Gibraltar, as well as protect constitutional arrangements. We also consistently opposed any efforts by Spain to disrupt the flow of goods at the border," she said.
"Gibraltar is British, and given Labour's record of surrendering our territory and paying for the privilege, we will be reviewing carefully all the details of any agreement that is reached."