The EU and the UK agree on a deal for Gibraltar

The EU and the United Kingdom have agreed on a political deal regarding the future of Gibraltar.

This was announced by EU Commissioner for Trade, Maros Sefcovic, at a press conference in Brussels.

“The agreement benefits everyone, and it will bring clarity to rules and opportunities,” says Maros Sefcovic.

Gibraltar is a British overseas territory consisting of a 2.6 square kilometer land tongue south of Spain.

The United Kingdom has had sovereignty over Gibraltar since 1713. However, the status of the area has been a central point of contention since Brexit.

In this context, Maros Sefcovic describes the agreement as yet another emphasis on the improvement in relations between the EU and the United Kingdom.

Relations have become increasingly close after Prime Minister Keir Starmer took over leadership in the United Kingdom.

The agreement on Gibraltar comes a few weeks after the two parties reached an agreement on a defense deal.

This is intended to give the United Kingdom better access to participate in EU rearmament.

With Wednesday’s agreement, Gibraltar will be linked to the Schengen area.

At the same time, the Spanish authorities, according to Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, will have the opportunity to oversee border control.

“The Spanish police will guarantee the integrity of the Schengen area,” says José Manuel Albares.

He emphasizes that the agreement will also make life easier for people in the region.

It is estimated that 15,000 people cross the border between Gibraltar and Spain every day. This occurs, among other things, in connection with work in the other region.

Currently, residents of Gibraltar can cross the border using residence cards without having their passports stamped.

Spanish citizens can cross the border with a public ID card.

Based on the Schengen rules, entry and exit will become easier once the political agreement has been formally ratified.

And that will happen, says the Spanish Foreign Minister:

“It is a definitive agreement between Spain, the EU Commission, and the United Kingdom.

The agreement creates a before and an after. Now we can build prosperity throughout the region,” says José Manuel Albares.