While Spain and the UK still disagree on which country Gibraltar belongs to, last summer’s agreement on Gibraltar means that starting early next year, the 1.2 km fence dividing Gibraltar from Spain will be gone, along with the daily border checks that have made life inconvenient for residents on both sides.
The agreement fixes a situation that arose when Britain pulled out of the EU; prior to that, the EU’s freedom-of-movement rules meant that no border was needed for people or goods. Since there are many cross-border families and jobs between ‘the Rock’ and the adjoining Spanish town of La Linea, it has been a major issue there.
The new agreement also covers free movement of goods by agreeing that for commercial purposes, Gibraltar will be treated as part of the EU’s economic zone. Travelers into Gibraltar’s port and airport will pass through joint Gibraltar/Schengen border controls similarly to what is done in London for Eurostar travelers.
The final agreement is expected to be ready by October for signatures by Spain, the EU, UK officials and Gibraltar local officials.
Image: Gibraltar (Frankie Hatton/Pexels)
