‘Last major hurdle’ of Brexit resolved by UK over Gibraltar and Spain

From right, Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Europe Minister Stephen Doughty in front of the Rock of Gibraltar (Picture: EPA)

The UK and EU have reached a agreement over the future of Gibraltar, solving what the government described as the ‘last major unresolved issue from Brexit’.

People travelling between the tiny British territory – located on the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula – and neighbouring Spain will not need to be checked under the deal.

It was called a ‘historic agreement’ by Gibraltarian chief minister Fabian Picardo, while British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said a ‘practical solution’ had been secured.

The Foreign Office has ‘ensured Gibraltar’s interests – as part of the UK family – are at the heart of this agreement’, Lammy added.

Half the people who work in the territory, famous for its monumental rock and Barbary apes, cross the border between Spain and Gibraltar every day.

Picardo said it is now ‘time to finalise the Treaty’ agreed by the UK and EU following Brexit, which left the issue of the territory to be solved another day.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the deal, writing on X: ‘It safeguards the integrity of Schengen and the Single Market, while ensuring stability, legal certainty and prosperity for the region.’

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