Gibraltar Brexit deal ‘very close’ as Chief Minister declares ‘light at end of the tunnel’
Gibraltar: Fabian Picardo discusses COVID-19 measures
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The self-governing British Overseas Territory is not covered by the UK’s Trade and Cooperation Agreement and separate negotiations with the EU are set to take place to agree a post-Brexit treaty. Madrid, London and Gibraltar all hoped negotiations for the cooperation treaty could be concluded by the end of June.
However, the timeline was delayed as the European Commission was yet to finish seeking a mandate from the European Council.
But on the fifth anniversary of the 2016 EU referendum taking place, Fabian Picardo revealed there was a “light at the end of the tunnel” for securing an agreement with Brussels.
In a speech to mark five years since the vote, Mr Picardo added: “We are not there yet, but we can see light at the end of the Brexit tunnel now. We will be fully out of the tunnel soon.”
He highlighted the importance of the 2016 vote where Rock residents voted 96 percent in favour of remaining in the European Union, compared to 4 percent who wanted to leave the bloc.
Mr Picardo continued: “The stresses and strains of the past five years have been many and they are not yet over.
“But we are in good shape as we look to start the negotiation of the potential UK treaty with the EU.
“It is, therefore, testament to this hard work that we are now very close to securing a treaty between the United Kingdom and the European Union based on our New Year’s Eve Agreement with Spain.”
Mr Picardo said ahead of the upcoming talks that Gibraltar wanted a guarantee of “continued, undiluted British Sovereignty over the Rock.”
He stressed the diplomatic link to Britain was extremely important as the result of the 2016 referendum made the rock “closer than ever to the UK.”
A framework agreement was agreed between Britain and Spain on December 31 last year to outline Gibraltar’s future relationship with the EU ahead of a treaty being agreed.
The final treaty will address issues such as border crossings and trade and it is hoped a treaty, Mr Picardo says, would secure fluidity of movement for people crossing the border between Spain and Gibraltar as well as the free movement of goods.
The agreement would also aim to scrap paperwork required by around 10,000 Spaniards and Gibraltar residents who cross the border daily to work.
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He concluded: “I pledge not to rest until we finalise suitable arrangements for Gibraltar that successfully deliver the certainty and security that we need going forward.
“I am confident that all parties remain optimistic that we can finalise a treaty which guarantees the fluidity at the frontier and the other elements necessary for Gibraltar and its neighbours in the region to share in a future of “shared prosperity”.
Spain’s Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya held positive talks with the Chief Minister earlier this week and the Express understands Spain is pushing Brussels for a quick resolution.
UK officials familiar with the negotiations said a deal would be “crucial” for the future of the rock, adding: “We are hoping the EU will cooperate with Gibraltar and us on this issue.
“A Treaty must respect the sovereignty of Gibraltar.”
Brussels sources added the “work is ongoing” on securing a mandate from the EU’s 27 countries with an “announcement due soon.”
Additional reporting by Maria Ortega.
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