UK, EU and Spain hail ‘vital progress’ in Gibraltar talks

“Significant progress” has been made in the direction of a post-Brexit deal for Gibraltar, Spain, the EU and the UK have mentioned.

In a joint assertion following talks in Brussels, the events mentioned that they had agreed “general political lines” on the territory’s future standing and mentioned a ultimate deal may very well be reached inside weeks.

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron was amongst these taking partly within the talks about Gibraltar’s relationship with the EU – which stays unresolved after the UK formally left the bloc in 2020.

The joint assertion mentioned: “Discussions took place in a constructive atmosphere, with significant progress achieved. General political lines have been agreed, including on [the] airport, goods and mobility.

“Negotiations will proceed over the approaching weeks to conclude the UK-EU settlement.

“The participants agreed that this was a productive day.”

The narrow peninsula – identified colloquially as ‘The Rock’ – has been a British territory since 1713, however its sovereignty has been disputed by Spain.

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The query of methods to police Gibraltar’s border with Spain long-term has been undecided since Brexit, whereas one other sticking level is Madrid’s need to have higher administration of its airport.

Lord Cameron’s Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares was amongst those that took half in Friday’s talks, alongside European Commission govt vp Maros Sefcovic and the Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo.

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The joint assertion continued. “The meeting reaffirmed their shared commitment to concluding an UK-EU agreement to secure the future prosperity of the whole region.

“This settlement will convey confidence, authorized certainty and stability to the lives and livelihoods of the individuals of the entire area, with out prejudice to the events’ authorized positions.”