Spain has warned has issued a dire warning to the UK, with a deal on the status of Gibraltar post Brexit yet to be agreed, despite months of negotiations.
Thursday saw the first meeting in Brussels with the British Government since Sir Keir Starmer‘s Labour party won power, though as with the last three high-level diplomatic summits, there is still no resolution to thorny border issues affecting the UK Overseas Territory.
Spain repeated its warning that if the stalemate continues, it will carry out border checks on the Rock within two months. The thorny issue of how Schengen controls will be put into effect in practice was one of the key topics being addressed at the meeting, attended by the UK’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
The Spanish government is allowing time for the EU and UK to come to an agreement regarding Gibraltar’s long-term future since Britain left the bloc, though negotiations have been drawn out.
The people of Gibraltar are facing uncertainty as the EU prepares to impose post-Brexit border changes that could cause chaos in the territory.
On November 10, the EU will introduce Entry-Exit System (EES) at all borders, effectively resulting in a hard-border between the Rock and its neighbour Spain, with fears that it could spark chaos.
But talks aimed at putting in place a common travel area between the Rock and the EU’s passport-free Schengen Zone have stalled.
An open border is of huge importance for the 15,000 people who cross into Spain every day for work as well as the territory’s economy.
British negotiators have reaffirmed their desire for a deal with EU over Gibraltar but it yet to accept the conditions.
Spanish officials have welcomed the progress made so far, but have repeated that without a deal it will begin carrying out mandatory border controls to access the Schengen area on November 10, La Vanguardia reports.
A joint statement signed by the parties said.”The conversations held today have been constructive and productive, resulting in additional progress on complex negotiation issues, particularly regarding people and goods.
“The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment to reach an EU-UK Agreement that brings trust, legal certainty, and stability to the population of the entire region while safeguarding each party’s legal positions.”
The parties will “remain in constant contact” with the teams asked “to work closely and intensively on pending issues,” the statement concluded, as per the outlet.
A date hasn’t been set for the next meeting though the changes in November are ratcheting up the urgent need to secure a deal.
