EU and Britain, agreement on Gibraltar - Parties agree to remove physical barriers at the border
The European Union and the United Kingdom reached a political agreement to ensure the continued movement of people and goods between Spain and Gibraltar without any physical barriers. European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič called it "a historic moment for the EU, including Spain, as well as the United Kingdom and Gibraltar".
He said this came after a "successful meeting" with Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Gibraltar Prime Minister Fabian Picardo.
The UK and Spain have been trying to reach an agreement for years to ensure that people and goods can freely cross Britain's land border with Spain. But one of the problems has been how the border would be controlled.
All parties wanted to find a deal before the EU's new entry/exit system comes into force, which is scheduled for October this year. Gibraltar, which is a British Overseas Territory, was ceded to the United Kingdom in 1713, but Spain claims it as its own territory.
"This agreement marks a step towards stability, cooperation and prosperity, creating an area of shared prosperity between Gibraltar and Campo de Gibraltar, as has been our aim all along," Albares told reporters, speaking alongside Šefčovič from Brussels.
"With this agreement, the last 'wall' of continental Europe will disappear and the free movement of people and goods is guaranteed," he added. The pact will preserve the Schengen area, the EU's Single Market and the Customs Union, but will remove all physical barriers, checks on people and goods at crossing points. However, checks will be carried out at the port and airport of Gibraltar.
For goods, the parties agreed on the principles underpinning future customs unions between the EU and Gibraltar, as well as an agreement on the principles of indirect taxation, including on tobacco.
Spain and the United Kingdom also agreed on a new cooperation framework on information exchange, a mandatory consultation mechanism and the creation of a financial mechanism to promote economic and social development, employment and cohesion. The full legal text still needs to be finalised by the negotiating teams and will then undergo the various procedures required by the parties, before being ratified.
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