At midnight, the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo, and the Mayor of La Línea de la Concepción, Juan Franco, marked the end of the Border Fence (la Verja) which has separated the Rock of Gibraltar from Spain since 1909. The two leaders crossed the fence onto opposite sides of the border, becoming the first citizens to do so without having to present their respective passports. A musical band played…
After three and a half years of negotiations, Spain and the United Kingdom, Brussels, and Gibraltar have reached a “definitive political agreement” on the Rock of Gibraltar. This agreement, which still needs to be ratified, will eliminate goods controls between Gibraltar and the EU via Spain. “The Fence, the last wall in continental Europe, will disappear,” celebrated Albares, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs. In order to “guarantee the future…
Nick Ottens (Atlantic Sentinel) | It agreed to put Gibraltar in the Schengen Area to avoid the need for border controls… Did the British not read the fine print when they signed their Brexit deals? Not only do they regret agreeing to a lay a customs border down the Irish Sea to avoid the need for passport checks and inspections of goods on the Ireland-Northern Ireland border; they also have…
Miguel Navascués | Theresa May has categorically denied Pedro Sánchez’ illusions over Gibraltar and co-sovereignty which he wanted to sell us. May has said that “Spain has gained nothing of what it sought over Gibraltar”, compared to Sánchez’ claim that “there has been an historic agreement” in relation to co-sovereignty. I don´t believe this issue matters in the slightest to Spaniards.
University of Surrey) via The Conversation | With the centenary of the end of World War I in November, there have been plenty of sombre occasions for European leaders of late. But perhaps none have been quite as sombre as the brief meeting to sign the withdrawal agreement detailing the UK’s departure from the European Union.
Andy Mok via Caixin | President Xi Jinping’s visit to Spain on his way to Buenos Aires at the end of this month will result in the usual and necessary flurry of declarations about strengthening bilateral relations centered on trade as well as discussions on how Spain might support China’s diplomatic initiatives in the EU.
The almost unanimous wish of the Gibraltarians to remain in the UE makes it difficult for them to fit into Brexit. There are proposals which will benefit everyone, and are far removed from the threats. The Real Instituto Elcano proposes following the models of Andorra and the Islands of Man, Jersey and Guernsey.
The United Kingdom can no longer count on the unequivocal support of its allies and the country’s exit from the European Union is already taking a toll on its international clout.
Nick Ottens via Atlantic Sentinel | Spain could use Britain’s exit from the EU to bargain for a new settlement for Gibraltar but vows not to.
The country which tried to invade England in 1588 may become its best ally. After the 28 European partners held their Summit in Malta at the beginning of February, this was the Bloomberg headline regarding the relations between Madrid and London during the Brexit negotiations. But the question of Gibraltar remains a thorny one.