MADRID: A deal over the post-Brexit standing of the British territory of Gibraltar relies on settlement over use of the airport, Spain’s international minister, Jose Manuel Albares, mentioned in an interview revealed on Sunday (Jan 10).
The standing of Gibraltar and how one can police the border with Spain have been factors of competition since Britain voted in 2016 to depart the European Union. The UK, Spain and the EU are because of maintain additional talks on the matter on Wednesday.
Albares mentioned that Spain has offered the UK with a proposal that features free motion of individuals and items, the removing of the bodily border between Gibraltar and Spain and use of the airport.
“It’s as much as the UK to resolve whether or not it desires this or the easy utility of European laws,” Albares informed Spain’s El Pais newspaper.
“To me it looks as if progress that flights can come from Spanish airports and different European nations, selling tourism and relations. The airport needs to be within the settlement.”
Britain’s International, Commonwealth & Growth Workplace didn’t reply instantly to an emailed request for touch upon Sunday.
Gibraltar, an enclave on the southern tip of Spain, has been beneath British rule for the reason that 18th century however was excluded from the Brexit deal reached between Britain and the EU.
Spain, Britain and the European Union agreed on Dec 31, 2020, hours earlier than Britain’s full exit from the bloc, that Gibraltar would stay a part of EU agreements, such because the Schengen Space, and Spain would police the port and the airport, pending an enduring resolution.
Spain ceded the outpost, famed for its towering rock, to Britain in 1713 however has lengthy known as for its return.