UK and EU talks on Gibraltar to continue in 2022

Cadiz (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 and aim to end before Easter, the Gibraltarian government said on Wednesday informed this.

Gibraltar officials specified in a statement that this was agreed upon in the fourth round of talks, which concluded in London today.

According to the Gibraltarian government, to address the colony’s future relationship with the European Union after Brexit “it is clear that all parties are determined to move positively and constructively to find solutions to complex political and technical issues”. “.

Gibraltar – whose sovereignty is claimed by Spain – 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 a separate agreement, which is outlined in these talks.

The four rounds of talks that have taken place so far have been since last October, when the European Union gave the mandate to begin negotiations as a framework for the New Year’s Eve agreement, which Spain and the United Kingdom reached on December 31, 2020.

“The negotiations focused on guaranteeing the smooth movement of people and goods between Gibraltar and the European Union. Other areas discussed, which will work to mitigate this factor and which will facilitate the creation of a greater shared area, have been discussed. Will also work for prosperity,” according to the statement.

The New Year’s Eve Agreement considered abolishing the border fence and that the British colony become part of the Schengen Area with Spain as a guarantor, as the United Kingdom was not part of this European zone of free transit. Is.

Under this agreement, Gibraltar will have only Schengen border controls at the airport and port. Gibraltar and the United Kingdom expressed their opposition to the European mandate for this negotiation because they understood that the project left control of its borders at the port and airport in the hands of Spain, and not European Frontex agents, as in That was stipulated in the beginning agreement. Arrived on 31st December. EFE

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