Historic Agreement Reached on Gibraltar: EU and UK End Five-Year Limbo
On Wednesday, a significant milestone was achieved in European politics as the European Union and the United Kingdom finalized an agreement aimed at ending the five-year uncertainty surrounding Gibraltar, following Brexit. This agreement includes the removal of the border Fence between Spain and Gibraltar, marking a crucial development in the region's political landscape.
The announcement came from José Manuel Albares, Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, who shared the news through a message on social media platform X. This breakthrough agreement is a result of a surprise meeting in Brussels attended by key figures, including European Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, UK Foreign Minister David Lammy, and Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo.
The four-party meeting was initially set to commence at 1345 hours; however, Lammy and Picardo arrived at the European Commission headquarters nearly two and a half hours late, coming from the British Embassy located in the same vicinity. Throughout this time, Albares had already been in discussions with Sefcovic, highlighting the ongoing negotiations that have taken place since Brexit.
The backdrop of this agreement is rooted in the conditions of the so-called New Year’s Eve Agreement, established between Spain and the UK on December 31, 2020. This accord laid the groundwork for future arrangements, particularly the aim to incorporate Gibraltar into the Schengen area. The intended outcome entails the transfer of border control responsibilities to Gibraltar's port and airport. However, given Gibraltar's firm stance against the presence of Spanish police on its territory, the plan involves placing these controls under the auspices of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex, for an initial duration.
Furthermore, in a significant step forward on the same day, the EU executive announced that Gibraltar has been removed from its blacklist of countries deemed at high risk for money laundering and financing of terrorism. This decision is expected to enhance Gibraltar's international standing and facilitate smoother economic and political relations with both Spain and the rest of the EU.
As the region moves forward from a protracted period of uncertainty, this agreement not only sets a new course for relations between Gibraltar, the UK, and Spain, but it also paves the way for further collaborative efforts in managing critical issues such as defense, migration, and economic cooperation. The ongoing dialogue among these stakeholders represents a hopeful path towards a more stable and integrated future for Gibraltar and its neighbors.
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