After a long–awaited agreement was reached between the UK, Spain and the EU, Gibraltar has officially entered a new phase following the removal of border controls between it and Spain.
The agreement ends years of queues at the border, which were inconvenient for around 16,000 people crossing from Spain and Gibraltar every day, many of whom are Spanish workers. Previously, waiting times at the border could easily last several hours.
John Isola, President of the Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce, said:
Not reaching an agreement would have been a catastrophe. The irony is that it was forced by Brexit.
With the new agreement, approval of passports at the border will no longer be necessary. Meanwhile, Spain will perform necessary checks at the airport and port of Gibraltar on behalf of the EU.
The arrangement is anticipated to benefit Gibraltar’s economy, especially its online gambling industry, which has 54 licenses, creates about 3,300 jobs and produces almost 30% of its GDP.
This deal represents an important historic moment for Gibraltar, as its border with Spain remained shut down in 1969 and 1985 under General Franco. Even if there are still issues that need to be solved, the accord is generally seen as a historic milestone in enhancing mobility, reinforcing economic cooperation, and changing relations between Gibraltar and Spain in the time after Brexit.
