EU, Britain strike deal on Gibraltar's post-Brexit status
BRUSSELS: The European Union announced on Wednesday it had sealed a deal with Britain on the status of the territory of Gibraltar, five years after Brexit.
The deal will allow the flow of people and goods over the Gibraltar-Spain border, forming part of London's much-vaunted 'reset' in ties with Brussels.
When Britain left the EU in 2020, the relationship between Gibraltar — a key military base for Britain due to its position at the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea — and the bloc remained unresolved.
Talks between London, Madrid, Brussels and Gibraltar on a deal made halting progress negotiations under Britain's previous Conservative government, but the arrival of Labour last year gave new impetus.
'A truly historic milestone: an EU-UK political agreement on the future relationship concerning Gibraltar. This benefits everyone and reinforces a new chapter in the relationship,' EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said on X.
'Today's breakthrough delivers a practical solution after years of uncertainty,' British Foreign Minister David Lammy said in a statement.
'Alongside the government of Gibraltar, we have a reached an agreement which protects British sovereignty, supports Gibraltar's economy and allows businesses to plan for the long-term once again,' he added.
Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said he was 'delighted' about the agreement that will bring 'legal certainty to the people of Gibraltar, its businesses and to those across the region who rely on stability at the frontier.'
The deal, he added, 'will protect future generations of British Gibraltarians and does not in any way affect our British sovereignty.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistan makes a pitch for regional peace at Brussels
Pakistan's Parliamentary Delegation led by Senator Sherry Rehman and Engineer Khurram Dastagir, joined by Ambassador Tehmina Janjua, met Lucie Sestakova (Head of Cabinet) and Asia expert Natividad Lorenzo at the EU Commission (Berlaymont). Photo: APP Pakistan's Parliamentary Delegation led by Senator Sherry Rehman and Engineer Khurram Dastagir, joined by Ambassador Tehmina Janjua, met Lucie Sestakova (Head of Cabinet) and Asia expert Natividad Lorenzo at the EU Commission (Berlaymont). During the meeting, the delegation cautioned against serious humanitarian and legal consequences of placing the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, underscoring the need to uphold treaty obligations and international norms, the Pakistan Embassy in Belgium wrote on its X wall. The delegation reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to peace, regional stability and multilateralism amid recent escalatory trends. They also welcomed the European Union development cooperation under the MIP & Global Gateway, reaffirming alignment with shared priorities.
Business Recorder
2 hours ago
- Business Recorder
European shares drop as trade optimism wanes
FRANKFURT: European equities logged their fourth consecutive decline on Thursday as trade optimism dimmed, while mounting geopolitical tensions prompted a pullback from risk assets. The pan-European STOXX 600 closed 0.3% lower, after touching its lowest levels in over a week during the session. This extended selloff marks its longest daily losing streak in over two months. The primary catalyst was the persistent lack of clarity surrounding global trade policy. US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a willingness to extend trade talk deadlines while indicating it might not be 'necessary' as 'offer letters' are imminent. While recent talks with China resulted in a deal, they failed to dismantle existing tariffs or resolve long-standing structural trade imbalances. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the European Union had been slower in presenting robust proposals, but was now showing 'better faith'. However, markets were sceptical about an EU-US deal before Trump's July 8 deadline, when the tariff pause expires. Geopolitical worries fueled more market caution after Trump said some US personnel were being moved out of the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran. 'If Israel were to strike Iran, the consequences ... would depend on the severity of Iran's retaliation,' said James Swanston, senior economist at Capital Economics. Surging oil prices provided a tailwind for the energy sector to become the session's standout performer. Utilities, often traded as a bond proxy, gained 0.8%, in tandem with Eurozone bond prices. Travel and leisure dropped the most among sectors. Boeing shares fell 8% after one of its jets operated by Air India crashed in India's Ahmedabad, claiming more than 200 lives. London's FTSE 100 gained 0.2%. Fresh data highlighted a sharp deceleration in Britain's economy in April, partly due to Trump's tariffs and subdued consumer spending. 'The Bank of England will almost certainly leave interest rates steady at its June meeting and will keep its options open for the subsequent meeting in August,' said Paul Dales, chief UK economist at Capital Economics.
Business Recorder
3 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Bilawal-led MPs reach Brussels to counter Indian narrative
BRUSSELS: Pakistan's diplomatic delegation led by former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has reached Brussels, the European Union headquarters after successful visits to Washington, New York and London. The purpose of the visit of the delegation appointed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is to present Pakistan's position on the recent tensions with India and highlight the importance of resolving the Jammu and Kashmir issue in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the wishes of the Kashmiri people, a news release said Thursday. The delegation will hold meetings with senior officials of the European Union and Belgium. On arrival in Brussels, the delegation was warmly welcomed by Pakistan's Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg Rahim Hayat Qureshi and officials posted at the Pakistani Embassy. The parliamentary delegation will inform the European authorities about India's anti-Pakistan intentions and aggressive actions. It will give an effective response to the 'Indian disinformation campaign' regarding India's aggression and the Indo-Pakistan conflict. Along with the European authorities, the parliamentary delegation is also scheduled to meet leading European think tanks and international media representatives in Brussels. Other members of the delegation include Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Harmony Dr Musadik Masood Malik; Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Harmony and former Minister for Information and Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman; Chairperson of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and former Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar; former Minister for Commerce, Defence and Foreign Affairs Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan; MQM's Parliamentary Leader in the Senate and former Minister for Maritime Affairs Senator Syed Faisal Ali Sabzwari. Earlier, in an interview with BBC, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said 'if India attempts to cut off Pakistan's water supply, it could lead to serious consequences.' 'If India blocks our water, war will be inevitable,' Bilawal Bhutto Zardari cautioned Modi government. The PPP chairman asserted that Pakistan's position on key issues is 'truthful and robust.' He said Pakistan's efforts in the fight against terrorism are recognized and acknowledged in the United States. Bilawal stated, 'The US is well aware of how we deal with terrorist groups.' The former FM further added that the US has observed up close how Pakistan has taken action against all extremist groups. He also underlined Pakistan's compliance with international standards, saying, 'Pakistan has completed the entire FATF process.' Earlier, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called on the UK's government to continue playing a proactive role in promoting de-escalation and facilitating dialogue between Pakistan and India. He was talking to UK's Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Pakistan Hamish Falconer in London, while leading high-level parliamentary delegation of Pakistan. The discussions focused on addressing escalating regional tensions following recent Indian military provocations. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari commended the UK's efforts and statements by its leadership on the importance of restraint, engagement, dialogue and diplomatic path forward.
