The UK and the EU have agreed a post-Brexit deal to implement a “fluid” border between Gibraltar and Spain – which will not require checks on people crossing.
The move marks a breakthrough in talks that have been ongoing since Britain left the European Union in 2020.
Under the agreement, checks will not be required on those crossing the border between Spain and the British colony.
More controversially, however, there will be “Eurostar-style” dual border control checks at Gibraltar airport, which will be carried out by both Gibraltar and Spanish officials.
Operating in a similar way to the UK and French system for checking documents used at London’s St Pancras station, Britons arriving on the Rock will have to show their passports when they land.
Foreign secretary David Lammy said the agreement was a “breakthrough” after years of uncertainty and that the UK’s commitment to Gibraltar “remains as solid as the Rock itself”.
It comes after decades of problems at the border with Spain, which claims Gibraltar for its own. The issue became a crisis for Gibraltans when the UK left the EU and, in effect, ended freedom of movement with the rest of the bloc.
The UK has had control over Gibraltar since 1713 via the Treaty of Utrecht as part of the compensation for Britain to withdraw from the War of the Spanish Succession.
It currently hosts an RAF base at its airport and an important naval facility.
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, welcomed the deal, saying: “It safeguards the integrity of Schengen and the single market, while ensuring stability, legal certainty and prosperity for the region.”
Gibraltar’s chief minister, Fabian Picardo, said the deal would “protect future generations of British Gibraltarians and does not in any way affect our British sovereignty”.
“Now is the time to look beyond the arguments of the past and towards a time of renewed cooperation and understanding. Now the deal is done, it’s time to finalise the treaty.”
Mr Lammy held talks with Gibraltar’s leaders, members of the opposition and the business community before leaving the British overseas territory to head to Brussels on Wednesday morning.
Gibraltar is heavily in favour of remaining a British overseas territory.
The last time it voted on a proposal to share sovereignty with Spain, in 2002, almost 99 per cent of Gibraltarians rejected the move.
The Conservatives reiterated that “Gibraltar is British”, warning of Labour’s “record of surrendering our territory” in past negotiations.
Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said: “The last Conservative government worked closely with the chief minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo, and set out clearly the terms for the negotiations and our red lines, and we will now examine if this deal meets those.”
She added: “The Conservative Party in government, and now in opposition, has always been clear that any deal must ensure that the sovereignty and rights of Gibraltar are safeguarded in full and must carry the support of the government and people of Gibraltar, as well as protect constitutional arrangements.”
Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson Calum Miller said: “I’m glad to see we’re one step closer to a proper trade deal with the EU – but it’s vital that parliament is given the opportunity to scrutinise the details of this agreement.
“There can be no question mark left over the status of Britain’s sovereignty of the Rock and our commitment to the self-determination of Gibraltarians. This deal must work in their interests.”
While Tom Brufatto, from pro-EU campaigners Best for Britain, said: “In much the same way that we have French border guards in St Pancras station, it seems that this pragmatic agreement will allow Spanish officials to operate in Gibraltar airport, providing much needed certainty for the thousands who cross the border every day.
“We can be optimistic that this agreement removes an obstacle to greater EU-UK cooperation in other areas, which can bring prices down for UK consumers and restore opportunities back to British citizens.”
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