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Political reporter Becky Morton has reported that the UK and the European Union have reached an agreement regarding Gibraltar’s status post-Brexit. Negotiations concerning the border regulations between Spain and the British Overseas Territory have been ongoing since the UK’s departure from the EU in 2020. The UK government stated that this agreement would eliminate the necessity for checkpoints for individuals and goods crossing the Gibraltar-Spain border. Passport inspections for travelers arriving at Gibraltar airport will be conducted jointly by officials from Gibraltar and Spain.
Under this new agreement, Spanish border officials will have the authority to refuse entry, as it would be feasible for British arrivals to continue their journey into Spain and the EU without further inspections. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed satisfaction with the deal, emphasizing that it safeguards British sovereignty and supports Gibraltar’s economy. Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo also praised the agreement, asserting that it meets the desires and requirements of Gibraltar while ensuring the protection of future generations of British Gibraltarians and upholding British sovereignty.
Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister José Manuel Albares and EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic have both lauded the agreement as historic, with Sefcovic emphasizing that it marks the beginning of a new era in the EU-UK relationship. The UK government has highlighted a commitment from all parties to swiftly finalize a UK-EU treaty text on Gibraltar. However, Reform UK criticized the deal, labeling it as yet another surrender by the Labour government. The Conservative Party, led by shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel, has vowed to scrutinize the complete legal text of the treaty to ensure it aligns with their principles.
Gibraltar, a 2.6 square mile headland south of Spain, has been under UK sovereignty since 1713, despite Spain’s territorial claims. The territory’s status and its border with Spain have been contentious issues that have persisted post-Brexit. Approximately 15,000 individuals cross the Gibraltar-Spain border daily for various purposes. The UK has confirmed that the final treaty will explicitly state that Gibraltar’s British sovereignty will not be affected. The agreement also guarantees the full operational autonomy of the UK’s military facilities in Gibraltar, including the Ministry of Defence-operated airport hosting an RAF base. Additionally, public sentiment in Gibraltar favors maintaining British sovereignty, with a 2002 referendum showing almost unanimous rejection of sharing sovereignty with Spain
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