Cádiz (Spain), Dec. 15 (EFE). Negotiations between the United Kingdom and the European Union on the future relationship of the British colony of Gibraltar with the European Union will continue next year, with a view to concluding the Government of Gibraltar before Easter. I reported this Wednesday.
And the Gibraltar authorities, in a statement, set the agreement on this in the fourth round of negotiations that concluded today in London.
“It is clear that all parties are determined to move forward positively and constructively to find solutions to the complex political and technical issues being addressed” to address the colony’s future relationship with the EU after Brexit, according to the Gibraltar government.
Gibraltar – whose sovereignty Spain claims – is not included in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement that London and Brussels reached at the end of last year, so it is necessary to agree on a separate agreement, which is what was set out in these talks. .
The four rounds of negotiations held so far have followed each other since last October, once the European Union gave the mandate to start the dialogue, taking into account the New Year’s Eve agreement, which was reached by Spain and the United Kingdom on December 31, 2020.
“The negotiations focus on ensuring the smooth movement of people and goods between Gibraltar and the European Union. Other areas were discussed, which will support this aspect and which will also facilitate the creation of an area with greater participation and prosperity,” according to the statement.
The New Year’s Eve Agreement provided for the abolition of the border fence and for the British colony to become part of the Schengen area, with Spain as guarantor, since the United Kingdom is not part of this European free-transit area.
Gibraltar will have Schengen border controls only at the airport and port, under this agreement. Both Gibraltar and the United Kingdom expressed their opposition to the European mandate for these negotiations because they recognized that the project left control of their border at the port and airport in the hands of Spain, and not the European Frontex agents, as specified in the Inception Agreement. Accessed December 31. EFE
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