The United Kingdom formally left the European Union’s structures on 31 December 2020. Gibraltar, which is a British Overseas Territory (BOT), shares a border with Spain, which remains an EU member. While the UK has rejected free movement, a new post-Brexit agreement for the rock would allow for eased movement between the two.
Border controls in Gibraltar between the UK and Spain are set to end in the coming weeks under the new Brexit arrangement, prompting celebration from residents on the Spanish side.
The UK and Spain have agreed in principle to end the land border, which is likely to happen within six months, with the terms of the deal to be set out in a formal agreement with the European Union.
The single road between the two territories will be extended to permit a further easing of travel for people and traffic. Certain infrastructure will remain with a few guards on standby. The specifics over certain customs checks away from the border are still to be worked out.
Gibraltar will become a de facto part of Europe’s Schengen zone although the language over whether the rock will be “part of”, or “connected to” the passport-free travel is still to be worked out.
Under the new arrangement, arrivals will be checked only if they enter by sea at the port and through flight.
Along with the Gibraltar border personnel, guards will also be placed on the EU border for the first time as well as a coastguard agency known as Frontex enforcing passport controls.
According to the BBC, Juan José Uceda from the La Línea Workers Association celebrated the new arrangement with a 1940s bottle of Rioja after hearing about the new deal.
While the move might be a celebratory affair for residents, tensions over who will ultimately administer movement in the territory remain in place.
Gibraltar’s chief minister, Fabien Picardo, likened the agreement to a “common travel area between Gibraltar and the rest of Schengen”.
However, Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha González Laya recently claimed that Spain, which disputes sovereignty with the UK over the territory, would have to have the “last say” over airport and port border arrangements due to Madrid’s continuation as a Schengen member country making the deal possible.
Mr Picardo rejected claims that this would impact British control over Gibraltar and clarified that movement between the two will only ever be made by Gibraltar guards, therefore “primacy” would be given to the British Overseas Territory.
Old Tensions?
Despite disputes over ultimate control over the territory, Gibraltar has had more cordial relations with the ruling Socialist coalition in Madrid compared to former more conservative governments.
During the tenure of the Popular Party, Spain’s foreign minister claimed that Brexit would ultimately see the Spanish flag fly over the territory.
The residents of the area have experienced the reality of hard border closures, having lived under a brutal 13-year blockade by Spain’s former fascist regime of Francisco Franco from 1969.
Sourse: sputniknews.com
