This is a question that remained unanswered from Brexit. The United Kingdom and the European Union (EU) sealed on Wednesday June 11, a free circulation agreement of goods and people between the British enclave in Gibraltar and Spain.
This agreement, which must still be ratified, aims to delete “All physical barriers, checks and controls on people and goods circulating between Spain and Gibraltar”said Brussels and London in a joint press release. He “Enjoy everyone and bring legal and serenity to people and businesses in the region”underlined the European Commissioner, Maros Sefcovic, before the press.
The United Kingdom had left the EU in 2020, not resolved the relationship between Gibraltar-historically an important military base for the British-and the European block. At the end of 2020, Madrid and London had reached an end to a framework agreement, in order to maintain the freedom of movement of people and the free movement of property on the border between Spain and the “rock”. But the signing of a final agreement was slow to materialize.
“A practical solution after years of uncertainty”
Nearly 15,000 people, for most Spanish, spend the border every day to go to this British territory with some 34,000 inhabitants to work there. This agreement “Bring a practical solution after years of uncertainty”was delighted by the British Minister of Foreign Affairs, David Lammy.
Spain ceded Gibraltar to the British crown in 1713 as part of the Utrecht Treaty, but it has never ceased to claim sovereignty since, which gives rise to regular tensions between Madrid and London.
With the protocol on Northern Ireland agreed by London and Brussels in 2023, Gibraltar was the last British territory without an agreement to clarify his future relationship with the European Union.
Source: Lemonde