Brexit talks between Spain and Gibraltar could allay industry border concerns
Spanish Prime Minister hopes to come to an agreement on the free movement of people across the Gibraltar-Spain frontier
The free movement of workers across the Gibraltar-Spain frontier must be a key factor in Brexit talks between the two countries, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said.
Speaking in Salzburg last Thursday, Sanchez said a bilateral Brexit agreement between Spain and Gibraltar needed to be established by October.
This would include a unanimous agreement over the free movement of people across the frontier between Spain and Gibraltar, which has been a concern for many of the gambling operators on the Rock, as the majority of their workforces commute across each day.
Sanchez said that the Spanish and Gibraltarian governments had had some differences on the free movement of people, but suggested it would be a key point in the discussions.
On Brexit concerns, former Rank CEO Henry Birch previously told EGR Intel: “What would impact us most would be if they closed the border.
“We’ve got contingency plans in that case but from a licensing perspective we’re not worried what will happen. From a personal perspective I hope Gib continues to prosper.
Also speaking to EGR Intel, Nigel Feetham, a partner at Gibraltar-based law firm, Hassans, said Mr Sanchez’s comments must be viewed as positive.
“It must be viewed as positive that Gibraltar is talking directly to Spain including about ensuring normality prevails at the Gibraltar-Spanish frontier, which is used every day by thousands of Spanish residents who work in Gibraltar,” Feetham said.
“I believe an agreement can be reached and that this can only be of benefit to both sides.
“A post-Brexit trading relationship between Gibraltar and Spain which includes a double taxation/exchange of information agreement, and even a special tax regime for La Linea, could not just be historic, but also transformation for the Campo de Gibraltar.”
Spain’s previous administration was overthrown in June by a parliamentary vote of no confidence. The PP government was famously against any bilateral discussions with Gibraltar over Brexit issues.