Latest news with #GibraltarGovernment
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
UK agrees to ‘fluid border' between Gibraltar and Spain
The UK has agreed to a fluid border between Gibraltar and Spain, clearing the way to finalise a post-Brexit deal on the territory with the EU. Under the agreement, checks will not be required on people crossing the border. There will be dual border control checks for arrivals by air at Gibraltar airport, carried out by Gibraltar and Spanish officials. Spanish officials will take responsibility for the Schengen Area in a model that mirrors French police operating in London's St Pancras station. The deal also secures an arrangement for goods and customs to enter Gibraltar across the land border. Talks on rules governing the border have been ongoing since Britain left the European Union in 2020. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the agreement was a 'breakthrough' after years of uncertainty and that the UK's commitment to Gibraltar 'remains as solid as the Rock itself'. He said: 'Alongside the government of Gibraltar, we have reached an agreement which protects British sovereignty, supports Gibraltar's economy and allows businesses to plan for the long-term once again. 'I thank the Chief Minister and his Government for their tireless dedication throughout the negotiations. The UK's commitment to Gibraltar remains as solid as the Rock itself.' President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the deal. In a post on X, she said: 'It safeguards the integrity of Schengen and the single market, while ensuring stability, legal certainty and prosperity for the region.' Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said the deal would 'protect future generations of British Gibraltarians and does not in any way affect our British sovereignty'. 'Now is the time to look beyond the arguments of the past and towards a time of renewed co-operation and understanding. Now the deal is done, it's time to finalise the treaty.' Mr Lammy held talks with Gibraltar's leaders, members of the opposition and the business community before leaving the British overseas territory to head to Brussels on Wednesday morning. Gibraltar was ceded to the UK by Spain in 1713 and the population is heavily in favour of remaining a British overseas territory. The last time it voted on a proposal to share sovereignty with Spain, in 2002, almost 99% of Gibraltarians rejected the move. Gibraltar also hosts an RAF base at its airport and an important naval facility.
BreakingNews.ie
3 days ago
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
UK agrees to ‘fluid border' between Gibraltar and Spain
The UK has agreed to a fluid border between Gibraltar and Spain, clearing the way to finalise a post-Brexit deal on the territory with the EU. Under the agreement, checks will not be required on people crossing the border. Advertisement There will be dual border control checks for arrivals by air at Gibraltar airport, carried out by Gibraltar and Spanish officials. Spanish officials will take responsibility for the Schengen Area in a model that mirrors French police operating in London's St Pancras station. The deal also secures an arrangement for goods and customs to enter Gibraltar across the land border. Talks on rules governing the border have been ongoing since Britain left the European Union in 2020. Advertisement British foreign secretary David Lammy said the agreement was a 'breakthrough' after years of uncertainty and that the UK's commitment to Gibraltar 'remains as solid as the Rock itself'. He said: 'Alongside the government of Gibraltar, we have reached an agreement which protects British sovereignty, supports Gibraltar's economy and allows businesses to plan for the long-term once again. 'I thank the Chief Minister and his Government for their tireless dedication throughout the negotiations. The UK's commitment to Gibraltar remains as solid as the Rock itself.' President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the deal. Advertisement David Lammy and the government of Gibraltar have reached a political agreement with the EU (Carlos Jasso/PA) In a post on X, she said: 'It safeguards the integrity of Schengen and the single market, while ensuring stability, legal certainty and prosperity for the region.' Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said the deal would 'protect future generations of British Gibraltarians and does not in any way affect our British sovereignty'. 'Now is the time to look beyond the arguments of the past and towards a time of renewed co-operation and understanding. Now the deal is done, it's time to finalise the treaty.' Mr Lammy held talks with Gibraltar's leaders, members of the opposition and the business community before leaving the British overseas territory to head to Brussels on Wednesday morning. Advertisement World Body of British journalist who died in Gibraltar r... Read More Gibraltar was ceded to the UK by Spain in 1713 and the population is heavily in favour of remaining a British overseas territory. The last time it voted on a proposal to share sovereignty with Spain, in 2002, almost 99 per cent of Gibraltarians rejected the move. Gibraltar also hosts an RAF base at its airport and an important naval facility.
Sky News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News
UK agrees post-Brexit deal on Gibraltar in boost to reset talks with EU
The UK government has agreed a post-Brexit deal on Gibraltar, unpicking another issue it's negotiations with the bloc. Foreign Secretary David Lammy flew to the British overseas territory late last night for talks with ministers there, before heading on to Brussels for finalising talks with the EU and Spain. The government says the new agreement resolves the "last major unresolved issue from Brexit", and "avoids the need" for checks on people and goods crossing the Gibraltar-Spain border, to support "prosperity in the region". Around 15,000 people - more than half of Gibraltar's workforce - cross the border daily. The UK is hoping it will help speed up other post-Brexit discussions as it looks to reset its relationship with the bloc. As part of the deal, the government says there will be dual border control checks for arrivals by air at Gibraltar airport, carried out by Gibraltar and Spanish officials, as well as arrivals by sea at the port. Immigration and law and order in Gibraltar will remain the exclusive responsibility of Gibraltar's authorities. Spanish officials will be responsible for ensuring the integrity of the Schengen Area, in a model the government says is similar to French police operating in London's St Pancras station. A bespoke agreement was needed for the territory, as Spain claims Gibraltar belongs to them after the UK took control of the territory in the early 18th century. Both Tory and Labour governments have been firm in their stance that they will not give up sovereignty of the territory to Spain. The deal explicitly states the treaty will not impact sovereignty, and also ensure the UK has full operational autonomy for the military facilities there. St Pancras style checks The government said: "Immigration and law and order in Gibraltar will remain the exclusive responsibility of Gibraltar's authorities. "Spanish officials will be responsible for ensuring the integrity of the Schengen Area, in a model similar to French police operating in London's St Pancras station." As Sky News deputy political editor Sam Coates points out, some Eurosceptics will be unhappy with the presence of European border guards in British territory. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: "This government inherited a situation from the last government which put Gibraltar's economy and way of life under threat. Today's breakthrough delivers a practical solution after years of uncertainty. "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. "I thank the chief minister and his government for their tireless dedication throughout the negotiations. The UK's commitment to Gibraltar remains as solid as the Rock itself." Fabian Picardo, Gibraltar's chief minister, said he was "delighted" with the deal, and he was looking "towards a time of renewed cooperation and understanding". A statement from the EU side said: "The parties are confident that this Agreement will support prosperity and bring confidence, legal certainty, and stability to the lives and well-being of the people of the whole region."
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
UK and Spain strike deal over Gibraltar's future and borders
The UK and Spain have struck a deal over Gibraltar's future, concluding four years of on-off negotiations. The two sides have agreed measures to ensure people can move freely across the land border between Gibraltar and Spain with no checks, and to introduce Eurostar-style dual border checks at the airport. The agreement does not affect sovereignty over Gibraltar, which remains a British overseas territory. David Lammy, the UK foreign secretary, said: 'This government inherited a situation from the last government which put Gibraltar's economy and way of life under threat. Today's breakthrough delivers a practical solution after years of uncertainty. '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.' In a statement, the Spanish foreign affairs ministry said the agreement 'safeguards the respective legal positions of Spain and the United Kingdom regarding sovereignty and jurisdiction'. 'The main aim of the future agreement is to ensure the future prosperity of the entire region. To this end, all physical barriers, checks, and controls on people and goods moving between Spain and Gibraltar will be removed,' it said. More details soon …
