Pedro Sánchez and Rishi Sunak have held a telephone conversation on Thursday, at the request of the British Prime Minister in which, among other issues, both addressed the issue of Gibraltar, a delicate and thorny issue. In the conversation, according to the communiqués of both governments, the two leaders addressed "the need to take as soon as possible the last steps in the negotiations on Gibraltar".

"They agreed on the importance of advancing negotiations on a treaty between the United Kingdom and the EU and concluding a proper agreement as soon as possible," they said from Number 10 Downing Street.

It is true that the information provided by both cabinets does not include any progress or any specificity, but what was wanted to put value is that, despite the complexity of the matter, the two presidents spoke that this agreement must occur "as soon as possible", confirming the purpose of making progress.

From La Moncloa explained that both leaders "have agreed on the importance of reaching an agreement that is beneficial for shared prosperity in the area."

Spain and the European Commissionsent the United Kingdom a proposal to make this space an area of shared prosperity. As explained then by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, the proposal aims to establish a new legal framework that lays the foundations for a stable relationship between Spain and the EU, on the one hand, and the territory of Gibraltar, through the United Kingdom, on the other.

The text presented to the United Kingdom includes provisions on the mobility of people, with the aim of removing the fence and thus ensuring the full fluidity of the transit of people. This requires Spain to control, on behalf of Schengen, the external borders of Gibraltar and, to that end, to exercise certain functions and competences, necessary to protect the integrity and security of the Schengen area.

Earlier this year, and in the absence of progress, Albares himself said in an interview with Europa Press that Spain Albares said that both Spain and the EU are prepared in case it is finally possible to close an agreement with the United Kingdom on the future relationship with Gibraltar, stressing that now it is London who has the last word.

  • Gibraltar
  • United Kingdom
  • Pedro Sanchez
  • London
  • European Union
  • European Commission

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