The UK has a agreed a deal with the European Union over Gibraltar’s status after Brexit.
Talks on rules governing the border of Spain and Gibraltar have been ongoing since Britain left the EU in 2020.
The UK said the agreement would avoid the need for checks on people and goods crossing the Gibraltar-Spain border. For travellers arriving at Gibraltar airport, passport checks will be carried out by Gibraltar and Spanish officials.
This is similar to the system in place for Eurostar passengers at London’s St Pancras station, where travellers pass through both British and French passport control before boarding international trains.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the deal protected British sovereignty and supported Gibraltar’s economy.
He said the “breakthrough” delivered a practical solution, adding: “This government inherited a situation from the last government which put Gibraltar’s economy and way of life under threat.”
Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo also welcomed the agreement, saying: “I have worked hand in glove with the UK government throughout this negotiation to deliver the deal Gibraltar wants and needs – one that will protect future generations of British Gibraltarians and does not in any way affect our British sovereignty.”
Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister José Manuel Albares and EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic both hailed the deal as “historic”, with Sefcovic saying it “reinforces a new chapter” in the EU-UK relationship.
All parties have committed to finalising a UK-EU treaty text on Gibraltar as quickly as possible, the UK government said.
Credit: bbc.com
