EU and UK Close to Finalizing Agreement on Gibraltar Relations – Key Issues Addressed

The European Union and the United Kingdom will try to finalize an agreement in the coming weeks on the framework of relations with Gibraltar, four years after Brexit and after this Friday in Brussels the parties managed to establish the “general political lines” on key issues that Until now they remained stuck, such as the question of the border and the airport. “The negotiations have been held in a constructive atmosphere and significant progress has been achieved,” indicates the joint statement after the meeting in the European capital of the EU’s chief negotiator, Community Vice President Maros Sefcovic; the British Foreign Minister who leads the British delegation, David Cameron; the head of Spanish diplomacy, José Manuel Albares, and the chief minister of Gibraltar, Fabián Picardo. “General political lines have been agreed, including on the airport, goods and mobility. Negotiations will continue over the coming weeks to conclude the EU-United Kingdom Agreement,” concludes the brief text agreed upon and published on behalf of the four politicians. This Friday’s meeting is the first held at such a high level since negotiations began nearly two and a half years ago, during which 18 rounds of contacts have been held at a technical level. It also occurs a week after another vice president of the Commission, Margaritis Schinas, questioned the options of reaching an agreement before the European elections are held in June and thereby caused discomfort in the Spanish Government. The agreement sought by the EU and the United Kingdom must resolve the ‘limbo’ in which Gibraltar finds itself in its relationship with the bloc since Brexit was consummated. Brussels has been negotiating with London since October 2021 on the basis of the so-called New Year’s Eve Agreement sealed between the Spanish and British Governments on December 31, 2020. This memorandum provides for the removal of the Fence and the de facto entry of Gibraltar into Schengen, to which border controls will have to be moved to the port and airport. The United Kingdom rejects that Spanish agents carry out these controls, hence a proposal is on the table so that during a transitional period of four years this task falls to the European Border Agency (Frontex). Another of the thorniest aspects of the negotiation, of which hardly any details have emerged in the more than two years that have passed, is that of the Gibraltar airport. The airfield is built on the isthmus that connects the Rock with the rest of the peninsula and is disputed territory. Spain has been demanding shared use of the facilities so that the entire region can benefit from it, but the United Kingdom is flatly opposed, considering that it clashes with its position regarding sovereignty. ALBARES CLAIMS THAT IT IS NOT JUST ANOTHER NEGOTIATION At the end of a little more than three hours of meeting, in statements to the press Albares has emphasized that it is not “just another day of negotiation.” “It has been a very important day where important progress has been made and in which we all agree to continue working in the coming weeks to conclude the agreement,” he summarized. The minister has confirmed that they have agreed on “the general political lines, without there being a date” and has explained that everyone has agreed not to go into the details of them because, as Sefcovic said a few days ago, “at the moment the negotiation is at its peak and we want to protect it and bring it to fruition. On the other hand, he has indicated that the Spanish Government and the European Commission, which is the one who negotiates on behalf of the Twenty-seven, are “perfectly aligned” and “in the coming weeks” all the texts that we present and exchange will at all times be text in joint”. The head of diplomacy has acknowledged that he would like the agreement “to happen tomorrow”, but has acknowledged that there are still “weeks of intense work left”. However, he has valued the commitment shown during the meeting to reach a conclusion as soon as possible and also the “constructive atmosphere”. “For Spain it is not going to be as soon as possible,” he remarked. In a very similar vein, also praising the “constructive spirit” with which the event took place, it was statement by the Gibraltar chief minister, who highlighted that it has allowed for “great progress” but has avoided going into the details of what has been agreed and the issues that are still pending “because the negotiation is not over.” “We hope that in the coming weeks we can finalize this negotiation with a legal text that will reflect the general political lines that we have accepted today,” Picardo added. Regarding the deadlines for the conclusion, he has limited himself to reminding that “the Commission has a life”, in reference to the European elections in June that will bring with them a new Commission for November. “I don’t want to measure it in time,” he added, at the insistence of journalists, ensuring that his will is to do everything possible so that there is a final agreement. “I am convinced that everyone is committed to reaching that agreement. Nobody is putting up obstacles. Everyone is working hard to ensure that the agreement is possible,” he stressed. “I’m sure it will be soon,” he stressed.

2024-04-12 16:34:56
#United #Kingdom #seek #agreement #weeks #Gibraltar #agreeing #political #lines #airport