UK and Spain strike deal over Gibraltar’s future and borders | Gibraltar

The UK and Spain have struck a deal over Gibraltar’s future, concluding 4 years of on-off negotiations.

The 2 sides have agreed measures to make sure folks can transfer freely throughout the land border between Gibraltar and Spain with no checks, and to introduce Eurostar-style twin border checks on the airport.

The settlement doesn’t have an effect on sovereignty over Gibraltar, which stays a British abroad territory.

David Lammy, the UK international secretary, stated: “This authorities inherited a state of affairs from the final authorities which put Gibraltar’s financial system and lifestyle underneath menace. As we speak’s breakthrough delivers a sensible answer after years of uncertainty.

“Alongside the federal government of Gibraltar, we’ve got a reached an settlement which protects British sovereignty, helps Gibraltar’s financial system and permits companies to plan for the long run as soon as once more.”

The Spanish international affairs ministry stated the settlement “safeguards the respective authorized positions of Spain and the UK concerning sovereignty and jurisdiction”.

It stated: “The primary intention of the long run settlement is to make sure the long run prosperity of the complete area. To this finish, all bodily boundaries, checks, and controls on folks and items shifting between Spain and Gibraltar can be eliminated.”

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