Gibraltar | Spain rejects UK complaints over new controls at gate

The UK has sent a formal complaint to Spain over Spain’s border controls on British nationals. Gateway from GibraltarThe Spanish government rejects these allegations, and stresses that this is merely an application of the law. EU Required Verifications Entry into the Schengen Area. The discord comes amid attempts by both sides to reach an agreement on the colony’s suitability after Brexit. On Thursday, Pedro Sanchez confirmed that an agreement was very close, in his first meeting with the newly elected British Labour Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.

“Spain has made it clear on several occasions to the UK authorities that, as far as people without a red card are concerned, the Schengen Borders Code is concerned, without any change in the criteria in recent years,” said the official, speaking to sources from the Foreign Ministry, in response to a question from EL PERIÓDICO DE ESPAÑA, from the Prensa Ibérica group. “Spain maintains a fluid dialogue with the British authorities, which has intensified in recent days with the new government,” he added.

The newspaper Campo de Gibraltar Europe Sur announced this morning Verbal protest note sent by the UK Embassy in Madrid. and express their “current concern” about the measures taken by Spain. “Since 13 November 2023, Spain has implemented measures affecting British passport holders residing in Gibraltar without a Gibraltar Red Card,” reads the letter sent to the Foreign Office, dated 1 July and which Cadiz newspaper was able to access.

The British embassy declined to comment on the matter.

The red card is for residents. Tarek mountain.It is the system that allows them to pass. Police and Customs Controls in La VergaThe problem is that many non-resident citizens pass through the Rock. In particular, these restrictions apply to tourists arriving by cruise ship or, more specifically, to military crews of British Navy ships docked in the port or other soldiers landing at the RAF airport.

Soldiers’ Passage

Last March, Spanish police expelled four British soldiers from Campo de Gibraltar to the colony after they made several suspicious entries into Spanish territory on the same day as alleged tourists. They only showed their military documents when asked. They made three entries and exits in groups of two, this newspaper has learned.

“Prior to November 2023, all Gibraltarians They can cross borders to take trips. “In one day, which reflects the close relationship between the communities of Gibraltar and La Línea,” the writing points out. The current situation ensures that this causes economic damage to La Línea.

Spanish border agents complain about the lack of systematic and strict rules for implementing Schengen controls. During these three and a half years of negotiationsOn New Year’s Eve 2020, Spain and the UK reached a framework agreement to try to remove gate controls and move them to the port and airport, among other social and economic measures aimed at improving lives on both sides.