Spain Optimistic Gibraltar Treaty Will Be Ready for April 10 Implementation

Brussels/Madrid – Spain remains optimistic that a treaty with the United Kingdom regarding Gibraltar can be provisionally implemented by April 10, despite acknowledging that the final timeline is not entirely within its control. The comments were made by Fernando Sampedro, Spain’s State Secretary for the European Union, on Tuesday.

Treaty Progress and EU Procedures

Sampedro stated that the Spanish government is working to ensure the process for provisional application of the agreement is “ready” by April 10. He expressed confidence that the schedule will be met, despite Spain being unable to “guarantee” the “rhythms” of work within the European Union [The Objective].

In February, the European Commission transferred the legal texts to the Council and the European Parliament to conclude the ratification process, which requires adoption by all 27 EU member states and the consent of the European Parliament [The Objective].

The EU also requested the Council’s approval for the signing and provisional application of the treaty, allowing for implementation while the ratification process is completed.

Implementation Plan and Border Infrastructure

For the agreement to come into force, even provisionally, Spain and the United Kingdom must agree on an “execution plan” for the removal of the border fence, a key aspect of the treaty reached in December [Diario Area].

Article 7 of the treaty stipulates that “all physical barriers will be removed in accordance with the implementation plan contained in the relevant administrative agreement between the United Kingdom, with respect to Gibraltar and the Kingdom of Spain.”

Discussions between the two governments on the implementation plan are reportedly in a “very advanced phase,” though specific details have not been publicly disclosed [Diario Area].

Context: EES and Bilateral Relations

The April 10 deadline is also significant as it is the date the European Union’s new automated border control system, the Entry/Exit System (EES), is set to come into force across the EU after a year-long phased rollout [Chronicle.gi].

The new agreement between the EU and the UK aims to establish a legal framework for their bilateral relations, as Gibraltar was not covered by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement reached after Brexit in 2021 [Diario Area].

Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, in charge of relations with the United Kingdom, met with Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares on Monday to discuss the process, but no details of the meeting were released [Diario Area].