Spain pushes for EU-UK Gibraltar deal to include joint management of airport

The future agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom on Gibraltar must “of course” have the joint use by London and Madrid of the disputed territory’s local airport, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said.

Gibraltar’s post-Brexit fate will further be discussed as the EU and the UK press on with complex negotiations this week in London.

“What sense would it make to leave out an element as beneficial to the population as the airport? I think it is a step forward that flights can come from Spanish airports and from other European countries to promote tourism and relations,” Albares (PSOE/S&D) stressed in the interview.

While “everything related to Brexit is complex”, Albares is confident in Madrid and London finding a satisfactory solution as it would be “absurd” if Spanish airlines and airlines from other EU countries could not use the airport.

Still, reaching an agreement does not depend on him, he warned, adding that Spain is putting “everything it has” into the agreement.

At the end of November, Albares met with his British counterpart, David Cameron, with whom he analysed the most complex issues of a future agreement and stressed the need to conclude a pact on Gibraltar as soon as possible or at least before next year’s EU elections, EFE reported.

(Fernando Heller | EuroEFE.Euractiv.es)

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