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Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- Straits Times
EU, Britain seal post-Brexit deal easing Gibraltar border flow
FILE PHOTO: A Union Jack flag flutters next to European Union flags at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium October 16, 2017. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir/ File Photo MADRID/LONDON - The European Union (EU) and Britain reached an agreement on the status of the overseas territory of Gibraltar on Wednesday which facilitates border crossings and ends years of political uncertainty. The status of Gibraltar - an enclave at the southern tip of Spain that has been under British rule since the 18th century - and how to police the border with Spain have been points of contention since Britain voted in 2016 to leave the EU. Talks have continued without an agreement since Britain officially left the EU in 2020 over the territory's status and border with Spain. Gibraltar residents can cross using residence cards without needing to have their passports stamped. Spanish citizens can cross using a government ID card. Passport controls have occasionally been re-established in tit-for-tat disputes, however, causing massive queues for up to 15,000 cross-border workers. Under Wednesday's agreement, those arriving at Gibraltar airport will show their passports to both Gibraltar and Spanish border officers. The British Foreign Office said the system would follow a similar model to French police operating in London's St. Pancras station, where the Eurostar train service connecting Britain with mainland Europe runs from. It added that the agreement would provide a practical solution to avoid the need for what it described as "onerous checks" and long delays at the border. "We have reached an agreement which protects British sovereignty, supports Gibraltar's economy and allows businesses to plan for the long-term once again," British Foreign Minister David Lammy said. Spain had urged Britain to close a deal on Gibraltar's post-Brexit status before the start of new EU border controls, which include a biometric entry-check system for non-EU citizens. "This is about the removal of the last fence in Europe," European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic said. Sticking points have included what role Spanish officials would have carrying out entry checks to the 29-nation Schengen free travel zone - of which Britain is not a member - at Gibraltar's airport and its ports. "I'm delighted we have finalised a conclusive political agreement which will bring legal certainty to the people of Gibraltar, its businesses and to those across the region who rely on stability at the frontier," Fabian Picardo, the chief minister of Gibraltar, said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
EU, Britain reach agreement on Gibraltar status
FILE PHOTO: A Union Jack flag flutters next to European Union flags at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium October 16, 2017. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir/ File Photo MADRID/LONDON (Reuters) -The European Union (EU) and Britain have reached an agreement on the status of Gibraltar on Wednesday, according to a joint declaration between the parties. The status of Gibraltar - an enclave at the southern tip of Spain that has been under British rule since the 18th century - and how to police the border with Spain have been points of contention since Britain voted in 2016 to leave the EU. The British foreign office said in a statement the agreement would protect UK sovereignty and its military autonomy as well as Gibraltar's economic future. The foreign office also said the agreement, among other benefits, would provide a practical solution to avoid the need for what it described as "onerous checks" and long delays at the border. "I'm delighted we have finalised a conclusive political agreement which will bring legal certainty to the people of Gibraltar, its businesses and to those across the region who rely on stability at the frontier," said Fabian Picardo, the chief minister of Gibraltar. (Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop, David Latona and Sam Tabahriti; Editing by Inti Landauro)
Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- Straits Times
EU, Britain reach agreement on Gibraltar status
FILE PHOTO: A Union Jack flag flutters next to European Union flags at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium October 16, 2017. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir/ File Photo MADRID/LONDON - The European Union (EU) and Britain have reached an agreement on the status of Gibraltar on Wednesday, according to a joint declaration between the parties. The status of Gibraltar - an enclave at the southern tip of Spain that has been under British rule since the 18th century - and how to police the border with Spain have been points of contention since Britain voted in 2016 to leave the EU. The British foreign office said in a statement the agreement would protect UK sovereignty and its military autonomy as well as Gibraltar's economic future. The foreign office also said the agreement, among other benefits, would provide a practical solution to avoid the need for what it described as "onerous checks" and long delays at the border. "I'm delighted we have finalised a conclusive political agreement which will bring legal certainty to the people of Gibraltar, its businesses and to those across the region who rely on stability at the frontier," said Fabian Picardo, the chief minister of Gibraltar. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Norway seeks deeper security ties with Europe, saying US relations uncertain
Flags of NATO member countries are seen at the Alliance headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, November 26, 2019. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir/File Photo OSLO - Norway said on Thursday it would seek to deepen security ties with Nordic neighbours and major European allies, bolstering protections against a resurgent Russia and signalling a shift for a nation long one of NATO's most Atlanticist members. In its first ever national security strategy, the government said that while the NATO military alliance remains key, the changes made in U.S. policy on trade and security had made transatlantic ties less predictable. "Relations between the U.S. and Europe have changed ... Unconventional and confrontational policies, including major changes in trade policy, have generated considerable uncertainty in transatlantic relations," the document said. "Continued extensive U.S. military presence in Europe is not a given." Norway, a founding NATO member, has traditionally been among the most Atlanticist nations in the alliance. While the new strategy shows Norway remains committed to its relationship with the U.S., it also marks a shift in priorities, with Oslo saying it will spend more time than before on deepening its relationships with other European countries. Outside the immediate Nordic region, Norway will seek to work more closely with Britain, France, Germany and Poland as well as the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, the government said. Norway is not an EU member and is thus outside the EU-led forums on foreign and security policy. "Through our cooperation, we will seek to ensure that the EU complements NATO," said the document. The presentation of a broad national security strategy coincided with the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe, during which Norway was occupied by Nazi Germany. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
EU countries expect 'simple' 17th Russia sanctions package
FILE PHOTO: European Union flags flutter outside the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, January 18, 2018. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir/File Photo BRUSSELS (Reuters) -European Union countries do not expect any major new restrictions in the next package of sanctions against Russia, which the Commission is due to share with member states on Tuesday afternoon, EU diplomats said. The package proposal has come sooner than expected, they said, and member states were not informally consulted in advance on the contents, which has been the norm for previous Russian measures. In mid-April, sources said the Commission's work on new measures was moving slowly and any new restrictions were not expected to materialise until June. The sources said the package is expected to contain tighter export controls, as well as new listings related to sales of technology, which can be used by Russia's military, and shadow fleet vessels. Moscow has built up a vast fleet operating outside of western networks to export its oil and buy ammunition. One of the sources added the aim was to show the 27-member bloc can "still agree on something against Russia" after repeated veto threats from Hungary's Russia-friendly government on Russia sanctions. France's foreign minister told news agency AFP last week the EU would try to coordinate the timing of its next package with the United States. Officials in Washington have finalised new economic sanctions against Russia to intensify pressure on Moscow to embrace U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to end its war in Ukraine. However, it was not immediately clear whether Trump would sign off on the new restrictions, which include new targets such as Russia's gas behemoth Gazprom. (Reporting by Julia Payne; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
