Spain, UK, EU make ‘significant progress’ on Gibraltar deal

OVIEDO, Spain

Spain, the EU, the UK and Gibraltar achieved “significant progress” on a deal that will define the post-Brexit future of Gibraltar on Friday, according to a joint statement.

In a highly anticipated meeting, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron met with Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares in Brussels to negotiate the issue that has been stuck for years.

The European Commission Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič and head of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo also attended to weigh in on the future of the tiny British territory in the south of the Iberian Peninsula.

“This was the first meeting in this format. Discussions took place in a constructive atmosphere, with significant progress achieved. General political lines have been agreed, including on airport, goods and mobility,” said the statement.

Those involved agreed that it was a “productive day” where they “reaffirmed their shared commitment to concluding a UK-EU Agreement to secure the future prosperity of the whole region.”

The statement added that negotiations could conclude in an agreement in the “coming weeks.”

Gibraltar, which was ceded to the British crown in 1713, has long been a sticking point between Spain and the UK.

Spain, on its Foreign Ministry website, calls Gibraltar a colony and slams British occupation of the so-called Rock. Spain also does not recognize British sovereignty beyond the fortified perimeter of the town, which includes the airport.

In 1969, Spain’s Franco regime even closed off the border gate.

It remained closed for more than 13 years. It was only partially reopened in 1982 and then fully opened in 1985 as Spain prepared to join the European Communities.
Then, when UK voters opted to vote in favor of Brexit, the future of the small territory, home to some 33,000 people, was up in the air again.

Fearing the uncertainty, 96% of Gibraltarians voted to remain in the EU in the 2018 referendum.

In 2020, after the UK left the bloc, Gibraltar’s relationship with the EU was replaced by the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

Yet since 2020, the UK and Spain have agreed to negotiate an agreement in which Gibraltar could participate in the Schengen Area.

In allowing free movement with the EU, a deal aims to avoid a hard border, which would be disastrous for both Gibraltar and the Spanish region that surrounds it.

That deal has been on the negotiation table for more than three years.