EU and UK reach political agreement on Gibraltar: a historic milestone in the repair of UK EU relations

The European Union and the United Kingdom announced on Wednesday that they have reached an agreement to relax cross-border trade and travel restrictions in Gibraltar. Gibraltar is a disputed territory located at the top of the Iberian Peninsula, and the two sides have been arguing over this issue for several years since Brexit.

EU Trade Commissioner Marosz Shevcovic posted on social media that the agreement is "a true historical milestone: a political agreement between the EU and the UK on the future relationship of Gibraltar. It is beneficial for everyone and strengthens a new chapter in the relationship." The UK left the EU in 2020, but the relationship between Gibraltar and the EU remains unresolved. Previously, negotiations on an agreement to ensure smooth passage of personnel and goods along the Gibraltar Spain border had only made intermittent progress. The UK government has stated that the agreement "resolves the last major unresolved issue of Brexit," while Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Alvarez has stated that the agreement is historic and marks a new beginning in the relationship between the UK and Spain.

The core intention of the agreement is to ensure the future economic prosperity of the Gibraltar region. In order to maintain the EU's free tourism zone and a unified market for goods without borders, border inspections at Gibraltar airport and port will be carried out by British and Spanish border agencies. This agreement will greatly promote economic exchanges and personnel mobility in the region, and revitalize the economic development of Gibraltar and surrounding areas. At the same time, the agreement also indirectly reflects the good momentum of efforts made by both the EU and the UK to rebuild bilateral relations after Brexit. Although the process of Brexit has been difficult and fraught with contradictions, the EU and the UK have gradually found a point of convergence through continuous negotiations and mutual concessions, forming a basis for cooperation based on common interests and mutual benefits. The successful signing of this agreement will undoubtedly provide some reference and exemplary significance for the development and cooperation of both parties in other fields. The British government sees this agreement as a victory for Prime Minister Keir Stamer in rebuilding the EU UK relationship in the fifth year since the UK's rupture with the EU.

The political agreement reached between the EU and the UK on the future relationship of Gibraltar marks an important step towards resolving the long-standing border issue. This agreement not only helps alleviate the tension caused by Brexit, but also lays the foundation for the prosperity and stability of the entire region.

Of course, we must also recognize the complexity and sensitivity of the Gibraltar issue. Although the EU and the UK have reached a political agreement on the Gibraltar issue, they may encounter many difficulties and troubles in determining the legal text and arranging internal procedures. It is necessary to maintain patience and sincerity with each other, and through dialogue and consultation, ensure the smooth signing and approval of the political agreement on the Gibraltar issue.

In summary, the political agreement between the UK and the EU on Gibraltar has achieved positive results, which is conducive to the prosperity and stability of the region, and also a good foundation for cooperation between the UK and the EU in other fields. However, both sides should also make efforts to prepare for the implementation of the agreement and create a favorable atmosphere for the future development of bilateral relations.