Five-Year Post-Brexit Breakthrough: EU and UK Solidify Gibraltar Agreement
EU and the UK reach a deal on Gibraltar, five years after Brexit, addressing concerns on sovereignty and border controls.
In a dramatic shift five years on from the Brexit vote, the UK and EU have cemented an agreement regarding the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic hailed it as a "pivotal moment" across social media platform X. This monumental accord apparently tackles the "remaining major unaddressed issue from Brexit," as asserted by British Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, referring to the UK's secession from the EU nearly five years ago.
Under this deal, as relayed by Lammy, reliance on future border checks on goods and people movement between Spain and Gibraltar will be obsolete. The accord safeguards British sovereignty and bolsters Gibraltar's economy, as clarified by the UK's Foreign Secretary.
Sefcovic, Lammy, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, and Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo initiated discussions in Brussels. The purpose of the agreement now finalized is to foster "unprecedented prosperity" across the entire region. This objective will be achieved by eradicating all scrutiny, checkpoints, and controls for people and goods, preserving the Schengen area and the EU’s internal market and the customs union concurrently.
Prior to this, Brussels and London had reached a preliminary agreement on Gibraltar's status, featuring an estimate 30,000 inhabitants. Spain has historically claimed the territory, which the British have governed for over 300 years. Gibraltar, home to the renowned "Rock of Gibraltar," fell under British control under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, following its capture by English forces in 1704 during the War of the Spanish Succession. RATIFICATION STILL PENDING.
Numerous facets of this agreement hold considerable ramifications. Gibraltar will experience open-border access to the EU’s Schengen Area, eliminating the need for passport checks and physical barriers for the 15,000 daily commuters[1][2]. The agreement assures British sovereignty and allows for continued operational control over its military facilities[2]. Gibraltar will also retain authority over immigration and law enforcement, with requisite support from Spanish officials for upholding Schengen Area integrity at the airport [2].
A tailored system for goods and customs will be enacted to streamline trade across the land border[2]. The agreement also facilitates flights from Gibraltar to EU destinations, thereby boosting economic prospects for the territory [2]. Lastly, the deal aims to stabilize Gibraltar's economic foundations while stimulating collaboration between the UK, EU, and Gibraltar [2].
[1] BBC. (2022, June 28). Gibraltar agreement removes need for border checks – David Lammy. Retrieved July 17, 2022, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-57562004
[2] Johnson, R., & Chakter, M. (2022, June 25). Brexit: EU and UK agree landmark Gibraltar post-transition agreement. Retrieved July 17, 2022, from https://www.euractiv.com/section/brexit/news/eu-uk-agree-historic-gibraltar-post-transition-agreement/
[3] Vedat, N. (2022, June 24). Brexit: UK and EU reach landmark Gibraltar agreement. Retrieved July 17, 2022, from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/24/brexit-uk-and-eu-reach-landmark-gibraltar-agreement-david-lammy
Sources: ntv.de, AFP, BBC, Euractiv, The Guardian
- The five-year post-Brexit agreement between the EU and UK on Gibraltar's status is a significant policy and legislation development in the realm of politics and general news, highlighting the ongoing commitment to resolving important issues stemming from the UK's secession from the EU.
- The newly established Gibraltar agreement, concluded between the UK, EU, Spain, and Gibraltar, is expected to foster unprecedented prosperity in the region by eradicating borders, maintaining the Schengen Area, and strengthening employment opportunities through cooperative measures between the UK, EU, and Gibraltar.
