Spain and the UK make ‘significant progress’ in Gibraltar talks

Picardo told reporters that ‘we are within spitting distance, actually I would say within kissing distance’ of reaching an agreement, while Albares said the aim was to ‘conclude it as quickly as possible’.

Britain and Spain, which have disputed control of the tiny territory since it was ceded to Britain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, reached a provisional accord in 2020 on free access for goods and people after Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union. But no definitive agreement has been reached.

Spain and the European Union in 2022 proposed creating a ‘shared prosperity zone’ with Britain for Gibraltar, where thousands of Spaniards go to work each day.

But that would have meant Spain taking control of Gibraltar’s external frontiers to control access to the Schengen visa free zone.

Spain has insisted that while it is ready to make a deal with Britain on free access, it is not giving up its demand to take back sovereignty of the tiny rock at the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula.

With the protocol on Northern Ireland agreed by London and Brussels last year, Gibraltar is now the last British territory without a deal clarifying its future relationship with the EU.

Today has been a very positive and forward looking day. The work we have done has been constructive and the atmosphere could not be better.

Delighted to be working with @David_Cameron, @jmalbares and @MarosSefcovic to create a positive future that delivers joint prosperity. pic.twitter.com/QdM5YVcwBA

— Fabian Picardo (@FabianPicardo) April 12, 2024

A productive day at the heart of the EU in Brussels as Gibraltar, the UK, Spain and the EU made significant progress towards concluding an EU-UK agreement to secure the future prosperity of the whole region. pic.twitter.com/m8du6OheGA

— HM Govt of Gibraltar (@GibraltarGov) April 12, 2024

Nuestro comunicado conjunto. Atmósfera constructiva. Hemos conseguido avances significativos para la prosperidad compartida en el Campo de Gibraltar. Compromiso para alcanzar un acuerdo. https://t.co/SuFBW9YPVp pic.twitter.com/nb2ihFy507

— José Manuel Albares (@jmalbares) April 12, 2024