Spain issued an ultimatum: the UK had until midnight on December 31 to negotiate with Madrid and avoid a 'Brexit' in Gibraltar, after the British colony was excluded from the post-Brexit deal reached between London and Brussels. .
The agreement was reached between the two countries “to the utmost extent” and the principle of agreement already exists, after negotiations via video call between the two delegations that continued until late at night. The announcement was made on Thursday by Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha González Laya.
Gibraltar remains an integral part of the EU agreements, including the Schengen Area, El Pais advances. Spain will be responsible for enforcing freedom of movement rules between the 26 countries within the region, but during a four-year transition period this control will be carried out by Frontex.
“The practical result is the demolition of the fence, which facilitates movement,” Arancha González Laya stressed. “We are breaking down barriers to build a zone of shared prosperity,” the Spanish Foreign Minister said, adding that the principle of the agreement “forms a solid foundation on which the future relationship between Spain and the United Kingdom can be built.” .
This will lead, in practice, to a strange situation to say the least: Spanish citizens will be able to enter the United Kingdom colony without needing a passport, unlike the British, since they are traveling to an area covered by the Schengen Area, which they have decided to renounce.
Madrid and London are currently working to refine the details of how Gibraltar's land borders will be controlled.
After reaching the principle of agreement between the two countries, the Spanish Foreign Minister expects that the European Union will unify it in a treaty within six months.
