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Date Published: 10/01/2024

Brexit row over Gibraltar intensifies with ultimatum issued to Spain

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Negotiations remain fraught as Spain continues to press its sovereignty claim

Brexit row over Gibraltar intensifies with ultimatum issued to Spain

Time is ticking for a post-Brexit treaty regarding the future of Gibraltar with all parties anxious to enter into fresh talks ahead of the Brussels and Strasbourg elections this June, and the strain is beginning to show.

The Rock’s deputy Chief Minister Joseph Garcia is anxious to get the ball rolling but he insisted this week that Britain won’t hear of any compromise when it comes to “sovereignty and jurisdiction”, an issue which appears to be a sticking point for Spain.

Likewise, Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo has threatened to abandon the talks altogether rather than agree to a bad deal for the British Overseas Territory.

Feelings have been running high since December 31, 2020, when the post-Brexit transition period expired. From this date, Gibraltar ceased to be treated as part of an EU country and residents have faced long delays at the borders now that the Rock is no longer in the Schengen Travel Area.

Although Spain, the UK, Brussels and Gibraltar itself are all keen to resolve the issue, Mr Garcia believes that 2024 “will be a year of many challenges” that will decide once and for all the future relationships between the nations.

“The coming weeks are expected to be crunch time here,” he continued.

“Negotiations cannot continue forever. Time is running out and 2024 will, at some point, see Gibraltar reach a fork in the road.”

However, it seems there is little room to manoeuvre and the Rock is faced with two clear options: either sign a treaty with Spain or settle down to the hard reality of life without one, which would create untold problems for Gibraltar residents and those who travel to the mainland for work.

“The overriding consideration in the conclusion of a treaty will be that there is no crossing of our red lines on sovereignty and jurisdiction.

“Both Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and I have made clear that this is never going to happen. There will be no treaty otherwise.

“Indeed, the United Kingdom too has said that it will continue to remain firm on the question of sovereignty. So if we manage to conclude a treaty, you can rest assured that it will be safe, secure and beneficial for us all.

“We will simply not support it if it does not meet this criteria,” Mr Garcia concluded.

In other news: Cheap flights from Seville airport for a getaway this January and February

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