“There is no reason why the UK should not now say yes to this deal.” Spain is raising its tone with the United Kingdom due to the impasse in negotiations on the new status of Gilbraltar after Brexit. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, assured that “Spain has had for several months a balanced agreement, respectful of the EU acquis and which guarantees the free movement of people and goods.”
The Spanish and British governments met with the European Commission six months ago with a principle of agreement on the table and noted “progress” in the negotiations, which were left virtually unresolved on technical issues. The intention was to end these new relationships before the European elections and subsequent changes in European institutions in order to completely end Brexit four years after the UK officially left. With the change of government in this country, negotiations have resumed, but the issue remains unresolved.
Spain has been leaving the ball in Downing Street’s court for some time now. “Two don’t tango if one of them doesn’t want to,” Albares said months ago. He has now raised his voice: “We would not understand a rapprochement between the United Kingdom and the EU if an agreement respectful of the EU acquis in the Schengen area and in the customs union is not accepted. Albares’ remarks came minutes before a meeting of EU foreign ministers with his British counterpart, David Lammy, with whom he spoke bilaterally in mid-September. Subsequently, a new meeting took place between the two parties with the European Commission to resume negotiations.
New Prime Minister Keir Starmer has chosen to “reset” relations with the EU after Brexit. He recently visited Brussels and met with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who had not received a head of government from this country for five years. Both have committed to “enhanced cooperation” on issues such as migration or security and the study and work visa model for those under 30 is under negotiation.
The Spanish government wants to take advantage of this approach from London to put pressure on closing the chapter of Gibraltar, which is the only outstanding issue after Brexit and which is resisting. The British colony, whose sovereignty Spain has claimed since 1713, was excluded from the United Kingdom’s exit agreements from the European Union (EU), which entered into force on December 31, 2020, and it was up to governments to achieve an agreement on relations in the new stage with the aim of eliminating controls on people and goods at physical borders, where mobility is constant, and at the same time ensuring the security of the market and the free zone movement of people from the EU.
The main problems concern the Peñón airport, for which Spain has demanded a joint use agreement, as well as the role of Frontex agents and the Spanish security forces and bodies at the borders of this airport for travelers arriving from third countries, as well as equal treatment of cross-border travelers. -retired cross-border workers, by extending British Community Care benefits to this group (which amount to around €465 more). There are also questions related to the fence, which in practice represents an external border of the EU.
