Four months ago, Spain, the United Kingdom and the European Union reached a historic agreement to define the definitive fit of Gibraltar after Brexit. In this way, it is expected to establish a more fluid border regime, strengthen economic and labor cooperation and move towards a more stable coexistence between La Roca and the region. The elimination of the Gate is emerging as the most visible and significant changea milestone celebrated by all parties and that will be a real catalyst for coexistence. However, other issues that affect the almost 15,000 Spaniards who go to the British colony to work daily remain to be clarified.
On the one hand, as the groups of cross-border workers assure, the rights of these employees must be guaranteed, including their social benefits under equal conditions in accordance with the principle of non-discrimination. Coordination mechanisms must be articulated, in addition to the exchange of information between authorities to guarantee effective compliance. Likewise, the British authorities must undertake to reimburse the Spanish Treasury for the difference in the unemployment benefits advanced by Spain to these workers.
Regarding the tobacco business, obligations to control the Gibraltar market and traceability of these products will have to be established. Spain will be able to supervise this area thanks to the establishment of coordination measures and information exchange. Likewise, the Gibraltarian authorities must reduce the price of tobacco products so that the price difference with the Spanish ones is no more than 32%, as a first stage towards the total equalization of prices. All these measures are fundamental to the fight against the smuggling of this product and its illegal entry into Spain, with the consequent effects that this has on the security of the area and on tax collection.
The agreement must also consider several environmental issues. Among others, the principle of cooperation must be established to ensure the highest standards of protection throughout the area, with the consequences that arise from this in issues such as the management of solid and liquid waste, the control of fuel supply to vessels or scientific research, including marine research through vessels designated for this purpose.
Regarding police and customs cooperation, coordination systems between police authorities in the area will have to be reinforced with the aim of improving the security situation and stopping crime in the region. In this way, collaboration must be intensified in the investigation and prosecution of a whole series of crimes, particularly those that most affect this area, including its waters, such as drug trafficking or the fight against human trafficking.
Recently, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, received the mayor of La Línea, Juan Franco, who presented a series of demands not only from the City Council, but from numerous social and economic groups in the municipality adjacent to Gibraltar, whose development depends largely on good relations with La Roca. Among other issues, the councilor put on the table “social issues that are of great concern, such as the situation of pensioners or workers.” In this sense, the minister said that work is being done on the creation of a social fund for this group.
Likewise, the mayor pointed out that at the meeting the minister confirmed that “the planned schedule continues”, so it is expected “to be able to reach the end of autumn, practically, with the signing of the treaty and the ratification by the competent bodies and the application of the different measures that are planned to be carried out.” A new time horizon that is eagerly awaited in the region.
When the United Kingdom voted in favor of Brexit in 2016, Gibraltar was left in a particularly delicate situation. 96% of its population refused to leave the European Unionbut the British territory was automatically left out of the bloc along with the rest of the country when the exit materialized four years later.
Since then, its relationship with Spain and the EU remained in limbo. For more than five years there was no definitive agreement on how to manage the border, economic cooperation or the transit of people and goods.
