The United Kingdom and Spain are moving towards a deal that would allow the free movement of goods and people between the contested territory of Gibraltar and Spain, according to statements made by the Spanish Foreign Minister on Thursday.
This development comes just before his scheduled meeting with Britain’s Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, in Brussels on Friday.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares, who is set to meet Cameron, mentioned in an interview with Onda Cero radio that recent technical discussions have helped narrow down differences, bringing the two countries closer to an agreement.
Additionally, the discussions in Brussels on Friday will include meetings with Maros Sefcovic, the European Commission’s Vice President, and Fabian Picardo, the Chief Minister of Gibraltar’s government.
Albares noted that while an agreement is unlikely to be finalized on Friday due to the complexity of the issues, they are nearing a consensus on the main aspects of the deal.
Since the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, which saw Gibraltar ceded to Britain, the UK and Spain have had ongoing disputes over the territory’s control. In 2020, following the UK’s exit from the European Union, a preliminary agreement was reached to allow free access for goods and people, but a final deal has yet to be solidified.
In 2022, Spain and the EU suggested the creation of a “shared prosperity zone” with Britain for Gibraltar, which sees a substantial daily influx of Spanish workers. However, this proposal implied Spanish control over Gibraltar’s external borders, which would impact access to the Schengen visa-free zone.
Spain maintains its position that while it is willing to negotiate with Britain for free access, it does not relinquish its claim to regain sovereignty over Gibraltar, located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula.
