Spain and Gibraltar blur their borders

The four-way agreement for Gibraltar, the historic British colony located in southern Spain, to remain within the European Union while its metropolis, London, remains outside after Brexit, has not been an easy path. This is demonstrated by the lengthy negotiation period (almost five years), with successive eves of minimal agreements that never materialized, and the lack of specificity in the terms agreed upon between the United Kingdom, Main Street (the Rock's shopping street), and Madrid. Until yesterday, this issue seemed like a deadlocked matter with no date. Almost impossible. Today it is a reality, although important details are pending, especially those relating to fiscal convergence.

The meeting point between the parties involved involves the demolition (symbolic, because there are mental distances that will persist for some time) of the fence, the physical barrier separating the Rock from the (Spanish) region to which it belongs. In exchange, the transfer of passenger border controls (which will now be joint) to the port and airport is accepted. The inherited sovereignties, which caused the eternal conflict between Spain and Great Britain, remain unchanged, but the free movement of passengers and goods between La Línea, Cádiz, and the Rock is permitted. For functional purposes, this will be considered a domestic flow of people.

The only ellipsis is the (joint) use of the Roca airport, which is not clarified in the memorandum.

This solution guarantees complete freedom of movement for workers in Campo de Gibraltar who work on the Rock. In return, the Yanitos —as residents of the colony are known—are allowed to freely enjoy their properties in Spanish territory and move around without problems. All parties win. No one loses. The agreement, the fine print of which remains to be seen, achieves the same goal as the transition, in Suárez's words: "Elevating to the political level of normality what is already normal on the streets."

The renegotiation of the status of the British colony in Europe, which was at risk of being isolated after Brexit, corrects a centuries-old anomaly, although its causes are historical rather than sentimental. The transition between both sides of the fence, now a very strange archaeological object, has always been a natural occurrence, even if it was subject to the moods and storms between Madrid and London.

The "yanitos" will be able to enjoy their properties in Spanish territory without limitations.

Schengen is established at Gibraltar's two major entry points for goods and passengers, while the barriers with Andalusia are becoming increasingly blurred. The fact that the negotiations included an agreement on taxes and customs, especially in the case of VAT and the sale of tobacco, one of the most profitable products for smuggling; visas and residence permits; and even regulations for workers on both sides of the border, totaling 15,225 cross-border workers, will help ensure the rapprochement between Madrid and Gibraltar does not suffer further setbacks, and cooperation can become a habit.

The only ellipsis is the (joint) use of the Rock's airport, which is not clarified in the official memorandum. Why? Gibraltar is the party that had the most to lose in this situation. Although most of the Rock's workers are Andalusian, a sustained dispute would have resulted in the economic isolation of the colony. The Labour government, which is trying to return to Europe without formally rejoining the Union, has helped accelerate the resolution of this issue with a view to negotiating future trade agreements with Brussels. Gibraltar returns to Europe without (yet) returning to Spain.