UK reaches post-Brexit deal for Gibraltar

2025-06-11 20:35:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The United Kingdom has reached an agreement with the European Union on the status of Gibraltar after Brexit.

Talks on the rules governing the border between Spain and the British Overseas Territory have been ongoing since the United Kingdom left the EU in 2020.

The United Kingdom said the agreement would avoid the need for controls on people and goods crossing the Gibraltar-Spain border.

For passengers arriving at Gibraltar airport, passport checks will be carried out by Gibraltarian and Spanish officials.

This is similar to the system in place for Eurostar passengers at London's St Pancras station, where passengers go through both British and French passport control before boarding international trains.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the agreement protected British sovereignty and supported Gibraltar's economy.

He said the "progress" brought a practical solution, adding: "This government inherited a situation from the previous government which put Gibraltar's economy and way of life under threat."

Gibraltar's Prime Minister, Fabian Picardo, also welcomed the agreement, saying: "I have worked closely with the UK government throughout these negotiations to achieve the deal that Gibraltar wants and needs - a deal that will protect future generations of British Gibraltarians and will not in any way affect our British sovereignty."

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares and EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic hailed the deal as "historic", with Sefcovic saying it "reinforces a new chapter" in EU-UK relations.

The UK government said all parties are committed to finalising a treaty text between the UK and the EU on Gibraltar as soon as possible.

However, Reform UK criticised the deal, with deputy chairman Richard Tice saying: "Once again this Labour government has shown complete disregard for our overseas territories. This is another surrender."

Conservative Foreign Secretary Priti Patel said her party would examine the full legal text of the treaty to see if it met their "red lines".

"The Conservative Party in government and now in opposition has always been clear that any agreement must ensure that Gibraltar's sovereignty and rights are fully protected and must have the support of the government and people of Gibraltar, as well as protecting constitutional arrangements. We have also consistently opposed any attempts by Spain to disrupt the flow of goods at the border," she said.

"Gibraltar is British and, given the Labour Party's history of handing over our territory and paying for the privilege, we will carefully consider all the details of any deal that is reached."

Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Calum Miller said the deal brought the UK "one step closer to a genuine trade deal with the EU", but added that "it is vital that Parliament is given the opportunity to scrutinise the details"./ CNA