EU ups the pressure with team sent to Gibraltar days after Brexit warning – Daily Express

Negotiations are underway between Britain and the EU on trade and mobility.The Brexit trade agreement signed at the close of 2020 does not apply to the Rock and negotiators are now working towards formalising a proper agreement.

A technical delegation of the European Commission will visit Gibraltar on January 18 and 19, according to website Europa Sur.

It is seeking to procure details about the current situation regarding customs and border controls at the Rocks border.

A draft deal agreed by Spain and the UK on New Years Eve in 2020 said free movement of people to and from Gibraltar would continue while a full agreement was being negotiated.

Nearly 10,000 Spaniards cross the border between Spain and the Rock known as La Verja, that is, The Fence every day for work, according to El Pas, illustrating the significant of border disputes in the region.

The EU sparked fury when it suggested Spanish border authorities would be stationed at Gibraltar.

Gibraltan First Minister Fabin Picardo maintained that, whatever the outcome of ongoing talks, the Rock would always be considered exclusively British.

Disagreement is also bound to flow from Gibraltars insistence that it will not be a part of the EUs Customs Union.

Sir Joe Bossano, Minister for Economic Development, told GBC news that the Rock was not a member of the Union before Brexit and it will not be after it.

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He added that Gibraltars position was centred on the Rock being a territory of free traders.

Sir Joe said: We buy from the world and therefore we need to remain [as free traders].

Some have raised concerns that lengthy talks between UK and EU negotiators over the post-Brexit situation in Northern Ireland could distract away from matters relating to Gibraltar.

But Spains Foreign Minister Jos Manuel Albares insisted late last year that these talks should in no way impact the outcome for the Rock.

He said: They are two different issues that have absolutely nothing to do with each other; whats more, they are two different negotiations.

Additional reporting by Maria Ortega.

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EU ups the pressure with team sent to Gibraltar days after Brexit warning - Daily Express