In a historic agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom, issues of post Brexit border will finally be resolved in relation to Gibraltar. The agreement provides a fresh basis of movement and trade and marks British sovereignty after years of complicated discussions between the UK, Spain, and the EU.
/*Fluid Land Border Restored*/
The land crossing between Gibraltar and Spain, which is traversed by some 15,000 commuters a day, will be made effectively passport-free under the arrangement. Residents of Gibratar are allowed to cross with their residence cards and Spanish nationals can use national IDs to do away with regular border controls. This would be meant to avoid any delays and lower the tension, renewing the mobility and everyday life in the area.
/*Airport & Port Checks Introduced*/
The Schengen integrity will be upheld by introducing dual-style passport checks, à la Eurostar at St Pancras, at the airport and the port of Gibraltar. These are the only entry points where passengers will be subject to the checks of both Gibraltar (UK) and Spanish (EU) authorities.
/*Sovereignty and Military Autonomy Affirmed*/
It has a clause in the agreement which expressly gives the UK sovereignty and operational independence in Gibraltar military facilities. British leaders have assured that the agreements would not prejudice the status of Gibraltar, a statement that has been received well by the territory leaders.
/*Economic and Tax Measures*/
As a compromise within the deal, Gibraltar accepts to implement indirect tax harmonization, including on tobacco, to resolve Spanish worries of smuggling and fiscal differences. A common customs system will abolish the goods control along the land border, improving trade and establishing a legal certainty of business.