British Foreign Secretary David Lammy was in Gibraltar ahead of a potential post-Brexit deal with Spain.
Ever since the UK left the EU, the situation in the British Overseas Territory has been up in the air, with London, Madrid and Gibraltar all engaged in negotiations on a path forward.
Spain disputes the UK’s ownership of the territory, which is located on the south of the Iberian peninsular opposite North Africa.
Known for its strategic importance at the entrance to the Mediterranean, Gibraltar is also home to an RAF base.
A government spokesperson told Sky News about the visit that : “The foreign secretary is in Gibraltar to meet chief minister Fabian Picardo to discuss the latest on negotiations, as all sides look to conclude an agreement as soon as possible.”
It is possible a deal could be announced in Brussels at some point in the future.
Foreign secretaries visiting Gibraltar is unusual, with the last official visit appearing to have been from Dominic Raab in March 2021.
Mr Picardo was in London last week to discuss negotiations with UK ministers.
Local media has reported that a deal could be announced “imminently”. Earlier on Tuesday, the EU proposed removing Gibraltar from its list of “high risk third countries” when it comes to money laundering.
If a deal is announced on Wednesday, it would coincide with the UK government’s spending review.
Any agreement would be closely scrutinised by eurosceptics in Reform and the Conservative Party, who have criticised Sir Keir Starmer’s EU reset deal and the handing over of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
A bespoke agreement on Gibraltar – which was captured by the UK in the early 18th century – was required after Brexit as Spain objected to it being included in the EU wide negotiations.
Since the UK left the EU, a reciprocal agreement to not stamp passports has been in place on both sides of border for Gibraltar residents entering Spain and Spaniards travelling the other way.
However, all sides have wanted to get a proper deal in place before the EU’s new entry/exit system comes into place, which is now slated for October this year – despite it being delayed multiple times.
In proposals made in 2021, the EU said it wanted to see Spanish authorities get extensive powers over immigration into Gibraltar from outside the Schengen free movement area, with EU institutions given the power to enforce the relevant laws in the territory.
Both the UK and Gibraltar have opposed such an extensive presence, and amended proposals were made.
The previous Conservative government and current Labour administration have said they would not agree to any deal that handed Gibraltar over to another state, or one that Gibraltar was not happy with.
In September last year, Mr Lammy and Mr Picardo met in London.
The foreign secretary said afterwards he “reaffirmed our support to them in all eventualities and reiterated that we will only agree to terms that Gibraltar is content with”.
Since Labour took power just under a year ago, negotiations have continued.
In October, Mr Picardo said proposals had been made that “guarantee the safety and security of the Schengen
Area and the integrity of the single market”.
Last month, EU council chief Antonia Costa said the sides were “not very far” from finishing a deal.
Via Sky News