HEALTHPLAN MAGAZINE

The recent news that the UK and Spanish governments have finally come to some kind of agreement over Gibraltar will be warmly received by those who live there, and by those who have to cross the border each day for work.

It is believed that the deal is almost done with the status of Gibraltar after Brexit now agreed between the two governments. However, there are a few minor sticking points that will need to be finalised such as the free movement for labour, tax affairs, illegal tobacco smuggling and control of the airport.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez even went as far as saying in a recent news conference at an EU summit that “That protocol is already agreed, it’s closed,” he said.

“Gibraltar will no longer be a problem in arriving at a Brexit deal”, although he declined to go into any further details.

The British overseas territory has long been a source of contention with the Spanish government who have repeatedly contested the sovereignty of the island and attacked it over the illegal tobacco trade, environmental issues and tax rules.

So although the status of Gibraltar post Brexit is still not 100% finalised, it is a positive step in the right direction. However, it is still unknown whether there will be a ‘no deal’ Brexit or not, which could hamper any progress already made between the UK and Spanish governments.

Sanchez also stated, “If we reach an agreement (soon), great. If not, it doesn’t matter because we’ve got time to reach one,” he said.