Negotiations between Spain and the United Kingdom over the future of Gibraltar have reached a critical juncture.
According to Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, who spoke to El País on Monday, they have reached “an irreversible point where we either finalise the agreement, or the British side indicates that they don’t want it.”
“But I insist: what I’ve seen in Lammy is that there is a will to reach it”, he added.
“It’s true that the new entry and exit control system for the Schengen area comes into effect on November 10, and that includes Gibraltar.
“All the more reason to have this agreement as soon as possible.”
The discussions, which aim to resolve the status of Gibraltar post-Brexit, have stalled over key issues, particularly regarding the implementation of Schengen border controls.
Albares stated that Spain remains open to “constructive solutions” that would allow for the free movement of people across the Gibraltar border while still meeting its obligations under the Schengen Agreement.
“The Schengen code establishes how things must be done,” he said. “If Gibraltar wants freedom of movement, it can have it; the only thing is that it must follow the procedures that apply at all entry and exit points of the Schengen area.”
The ongoing negotiations have intensified as Albares prepares to meet with his UK counterpart, David Lammy, who has already held discussions with Gibraltar’s Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo.
Lammy has reiterated the UK’s commitment to reaching an agreement that provides certainty for Gibraltar while ensuring that the terms align with Gibraltar’s interests.
Despite the urgency, negotiators have avoided setting a firm deadline for the talks, which began in 2021. However, the looming introduction of automated Schengen controls in November has increased pressure on both sides to finalize a deal. Concerns are mounting over potential delays and restrictions at the border if an agreement is not reached.
In a statement following his meeting with Lammy, Picardo stated that any agreement must respect Gibraltar’s “red lines,” particularly concerning sovereignty and the legal and economic interests of its people. He also warned that Gibraltarians might have to brace themselves for potential challenges ahead.
“Spain does not renounce its claim to sovereignty, but it’s also a red line for me that the lives of the 300,000 residents of the Campo de Gibraltar improve,” Albares stated.
He acknowledged that while the status of the 10,000 Spanish cross-border workers is protected under the UK-EU withdrawal agreement, Spain is still eager to reach a comprehensive deal.
One of the most contentious issues remains Spain’s demand for armed, uniformed Spanish police officers to conduct immigration controls inside Gibraltar.
Both the UK and Gibraltar have firmly rejected this proposal, instead pointing to the New Year’s Eve framework agreement of 2020, which proposed a joint facility on both sides of the border with Frontex officers assisting for at least the first four years.
Spain would oversee the Schengen controls from this shared facility, while Frontex would handle the practical operations within Gibraltar.
However, when asked if Spain would accept officers operating in Gibraltar without uniforms or weapons, as requested by Chief Minister Picardo, Albares was firm on reitarating his commitment to the Schengen code.
Reflecting on the 2020 New Year’s Eve pact, which laid the groundwork for the current negotiations, Albares urged both sides to “be forward-thinking, set aside any hesitations, and move towards a new relationship”.
“Fears, suspicions, and distrust must be left behind,” he said.