Spain pressures UK to close Gibraltar deal after Brexit – Rue20.com

Rue20 Spanish/Rabat

The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, has raised his tone with the United Kingdom due to the lack of progress in the negotiations on the status of Gibraltar after Brexit.

“There is no reason for the United Kingdom not to say yes to this agreement,” Albares said before a meeting with EU foreign ministers and his British counterpart, David Lammy.

Spain maintains that the agreement, which was reached in principle six months ago, is fair and respects European legislation, guaranteeing the free movement of people and goods.

“We would not understand an approach between the United Kingdom and the EU when an agreement that respects the acquis communautaire in the Schengen area and the Customs Union is not accepted,” said Albares.

The negotiations, which were expected to be closed before the European elections, have slowed down with the change of government in the United Kingdom. Despite the commitment of the new Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, to “reset” relations with the EU, the agreement on Gibraltar remains the only issue pending after Brexit.

Spain is trying to take advantage of London’s new position to put pressure on the Gibraltar chapter and close it. The agreement aims to eliminate border controls and ensure market security and the free movement of people in the EU.

Points of contention include the joint use of Gibraltar airport, the role of Frontex and Spanish security forces at the border, equal treatment of cross-border workers in retirement and related matters the fence, which is the external border of the EU.