In a significant breakthrough, the European Union and the United Kingdom have reached a consensus on the core aspects of a future agreement regarding Gibraltar, five years after the Brexit referendum. The agreement was announced by both sides on Wednesday, following a meeting in Brussels between EU Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, British Foreign Minister David Lammy and the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo.
The future agreement aims to secure the prosperity of the entire region by removing all physical barriers, controls and checks on people and goods between Spain and Gibraltar, while preserving the Schengen Area, the EU’s internal market and the customs union. The parties have agreed to establish dual border controls in Gibraltar, to be carried out in full cooperation between the EU and UK/Gibraltar authorities.
In the area of goods, the negotiators have reached an understanding on the principles of a future customs union between the EU and Gibraltar, including close cooperation between the relevant customs authorities and the removal of goods controls. Other key areas of the future agreement include commitments to equal competitive conditions in the fields of state aid, taxation, labor, environment, trade and sustainable development.
The future agreement will not affect the respective legal positions of Spain and the United Kingdom regarding sovereignty and jurisdiction. Spain has traditionally claimed sovereignty over the area, which has been under British control for over 300 years. The agreement must still be ratified in the next step.