<h6><strong>Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, met with representatives of the Andalusian Regional Government, mayors, and economic and social stakeholders from Campo de Gibraltar this Friday to inform them about the Gibraltar agreement and has requested their appearance before the Congress of Deputies "as soon as possible" to report on this same issue.</strong></h4> According to a press release from the Foreign Office, Albares chaired two meetings at the Ministry's headquarters this Friday: the first with the Andalusian Regional Government and mayors, and the second with social and economic stakeholders from the region. The meeting was to explain "the key points" of the agreement on Gibraltar's future integration into the EU, reached this Wednesday in Brussels by the Vice President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič, Albares himself, and the British delegation, led by the UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, and attended by the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabián Picardo. “The agreement, the drafting phase of which will begin immediately by the European Commission services, explicitly safeguards Spain's legal positions regarding sovereignty and jurisdiction,” the Ministry stated. The text, which aims to “guarantee coexistence and prosperity throughout the region,” provides for the complete elimination of physical barriers, including the fence, “the last remaining physical barrier on continental European territory.” It also guarantees the free movement of people by removing borders and controls between Gibraltar and Campo de Gibraltar. “This removal of controls between Gibraltar and La Línea will be a benefit to the many thousands of people who cross it daily in both directions,” the press release continues. Regarding Gibraltar's port and airport, the agreement establishes that, on behalf of the European Union, the Spanish national police will carry out full Schengen controls. Visa and permit controls and close cooperation between police and judicial authorities are also agreed upon. The airport will be open for civil use for British, European, and Spanish flights, and its management will be entrusted to a joint venture. Regarding the movement of goods, the principles that will underpin the customs union between the EU and Gibraltar have been established. Goods will enter Gibraltar without road controls after completing customs formalities at a Spanish port. An agreement has also been reached on the principles of indirect taxation, which will introduce convergence with European rates in Gibraltar in phases, including tobacco. Tax harmonization also extends to excise duties on fuels and alcoholic beverages. In addition, a mechanism is being created to guarantee a free market and avoid distortions, so that this free movement fully benefits the entire area. The future agreement also includes environmental commitments, in accordance with current European Union standards, and the establishment of a joint commission to resolve any environmental challenges, including landfills and dumping. Finally, it has been decided to create a financial mechanism, to which both the EU and Spain will contribute, on the one hand, and the United Kingdom and Gibraltar, on the other, to promote cohesion and support employment, thereby significantly reducing the inequalities that exist in the region. "This is, ultimately, an agreement that improves the lives of the 300,000 Andalusians who live in the region and the thousands who cross it every day to work. In this way, the Government of Spain and the European Commission are laying the foundations for a future of growth, well-being, and shared prosperity," concluded the Foreign Ministry.
