The European Union and the U.K. have reached an agreement to ease cross-border trade and travel in Gibraltar after years of post-Brexit wrangling over the contested territory, EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič said Wednesday.
On social media, Šefčovič commended the deal as “an incredibly significant landmark: a political accord between the EU and UK regarding their future relationship with Gibraltar. It serves the interests of all parties involved and ushers in a fresh era in their relations.”
In 2020, Britain exited the European Union, leaving the situation regarding Gibraltar’s status within the bloc unaddressed. Negotiations aimed at securing an agreement to maintain the free movement of people and products across the Gibraltar-Spain border had advanced only incrementally prior to this.
During Britain’s 2016 Brexit referendum, an overwhelming majority of 96% of voters in Gibraltar chose to remain within the European Union. This small area located at the southern end of Spain heavily relies on access to the EU market to support its population of around 34,000 people.
The UK government stated that the accord “settles the final significant outstanding matter stemming from Brexit,” whereas Spanish Foreign Minister José Albares noted that “an agreement concerning Gibraltar has become a reality,” describing it as an historical moment.
The agreement would entail eliminating all physical obstacles, inspections, and regulations concerning the movement of individuals and products between Spain and Gibraltar, as stated in an official European Union release. Additionally, it aims to uphold the principles of Europe’s open-travel area and adhere to the guidelines of the EU single market.
The declaration stated that the agreement “will instill confidence and provide legal clarity for the residents’ overall wellbeing across the entire area by fostering common economic growth and cooperative and positive interactions between the Gibraltar and Spanish authorities.”
The main issue revolves around control of Gibraltar’s airport. Both the UK and Gibraltar have opposed Spain’s demand for their border officials to operate from the same location as the airport, which additionally houses a Royal Air Force base.
Inspections will now take place similar to those conducted at the Eurostar train stations in London and Paris. Šefčović mentioned that both Gibraltar and EU inspections would occur at Gibraltar’s airport and port.
A deal was also made on Wednesday regarding visas and travel permissions.
The UK stated that approximately half of Gibraltar’s residents cross the border daily, and without a mutual agreement, the new European Union regulations regarding entries and exits will require passport checks for everyone.
The British government celebrated the agreement as a victory in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s effort to redefine relationships with the European Union, five years following the U.K.’s contentious exit from the union.
The U.K. stated that the agreement “does not affect sovereignty” and guarantees “complete operational independence for the U.K.’s military bases in Gibraltar.”
Albares stated that the agreement represents “a fresh start” in the ties between the U.K. and Spain.
He stated that Spain “will ensure the unrestricted movement of individuals and merchandise,” and noted that Gibraltar will now become part of Europe’s free transit region called the Schengen Area, with access controlled by Spanish officials.
“It will predominantly benefit the approximately 15,000 individuals who daily commute between Gibraltar and the surrounding region of Campo del Gibraltar,” Albares stated, referencing the area adjacent to Gibraltar in southern Spain.
The Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo, also welcomed the accord, stating that it “will provide legal clarity for the residents of Gibraltar, its enterprises, and those throughout the area who depend on border stability.”
Cook, Lawless, and Naishadham authored the piece for the Associated Press. Lawless provided reporting from London, while Naishadham contributed from Madrid, Spain.
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