Spain sees itself ‘very close’ to UK deal on Gibraltar

The Spanish government pledged this Tuesday (28) that it was “very close” to reaching a firm agreement with the UK on rules for the free movement of people and goods between the British territory of Kilbride and Spain.

“We are very close to finalizing the agreement,” Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Alvarez told reporters in Brussels, where he is attending a meeting of NATO nations. Associate, David Cameron.

“There are still some sections to negotiate and that’s what we’re going to start dealing with today,” explained Albarez, who said Cameron had communicated to him “this willingness to move forward.”

Asked by reporters, the Spanish minister added that he could not give a time frame for signing the agreement. He explained that “there are no disagreements about the content of the agreement, but the right formula needs to be found” so that it can be “really”.

In late 2020, Spain and the United Kingdom reached a last-minute tentative agreement on Gibraltar, a British overseas territory located at Spain’s southern tip, nicknamed “El Benón” (the Rock) for its famous cliff.

The agreement gave freedom to workers and tourists to avoid disruption. Since then, the two countries have continued to negotiate to sign a definitive agreement.

In a statement to AFP, the Gibraltar government said it welcomed the “resumption of negotiations” and pledged to “work closely” with the British administration to reach an agreement. […] soon”.

A year ago, Spain and the European Commission proposed to the British government the creation of a shared prosperity zone with Gibraltar. This includes Spain taking over Gibraltar’s external borders in the name of the Schengen area. The land border between the territory and Spain should be removed to guarantee the fluid movement of people and goods.

Spain ceded Gibraltar to the British Crown in 1713 as part of the Treaty of Utrecht, but has since claimed sovereignty, leading to regular border skirmishes and diplomatic tensions between Spain and the United Kingdom, reaching their highest point in Francisco in 1969. Franco’s regime ordered the border closed, and it was reopened only in 1985.

About 15,000 people, most of them Spanish, cross the border every day to work in British territory, about 34,000 people.

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