The Diplomat in Spain

The Diplomat. 27/07/2018

The Spanish government said yesterday that it follows «very closely and with concern» the progress of negotiations between the European Commission and the British Government for the departure of the United Kingdom from the EU, while announcing the preparation of a General Plan for the Campo de Gibraltar whose objective will be to develop active employment policies and boost the economy of the region with a view to Brexit.

The Executive «is prepared before two possible scenarios: an agreed Brexit or the exit of the United Kingdom without agreement with Brussels», declared yesterday the Government during the meeting of the Interministerial Commission for the follow-up of the process of withdrawal of the United Kingdom of the EU, chaired by the Vice President of the Government, Carmen Calvo.

Likewise, it continued, three sectors are of special importance in the framework of the ongoing negotiations, according to the special report presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell: citizens’ rights, civil aviation and fishing. «In each of the three aspects, the Government works with the ministries involved to assess the situation and is preparing contingency plans», the executive said.

Moncloa also warned that the departure of the United Kingdom from the EU «will have consequences on Gibraltar, whose status is directly negotiated by the Spanish and British governments, bearing in mind the need to improve the well-being of the population of Campo de Gibraltar».