Dr Garcia explained that Gibraltar enjoyed a differentiated, tailor-made relationship with the EU ever since joining its predecessor the European Economic Community in 1973. This status was unique and was therefore not enjoyed by any other Overseas Territory, by the Devolved Administrations or by the Crown Dependencies.

He said that the Withdrawal Agreement between the UK and the EU still needed to be finalised so it was too early to tell what the future might look like. However, he pointed out that 96% of Gibraltar had voted to remain in the EU which suggested that people would want a closer relationship going forward.

There was considerable interest in the details of the Gibraltar Protocol to the Withdrawal Agreement between the UK and the EU and in the five areas of arrangements for practical cooperation being discussed with Spain.

POSITIONS VERY CLOSE 

The Deputy Chief Minister explained that the positions were now very close. He welcomed the comments which indicated that with the conclusion of the Protocol Gibraltar would be included in the transitional arrangements which are expected to run until the end of 2020.

However, if there was no UK-EU agreement then there would be no Gibraltar Protocol either. There was scope for practical cooperation with Spain nonetheless.

The UK-EU Protocols would cover the three Territories which have a land border with the EU. These were the bases in Cyprus, Northern Ireland and Gibraltar.

25-10-18 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR