Arancha González Laya has also heard the opinions and concerns that Brexit raises in the Andalusian regional administration and local administrations in the area.
The minister recalled that, although Gibraltar will leave the European Union by a decision of the United Kingdom, Spain has done everything possible to ensure that the departure from Gibraltar is made in a predictable manner without causing damage to the population of the Campo de Gibraltar.
Under the Withdrawal Agreement signed between the European Union and the United Kingdom, which entered into force on February 1, and the Specific Protocol on Gibraltar, citizens of the Campo de Gibraltar will continue to enjoy their rights as they have been doing until now, and during the transitional period, which extends until December 31 of this year.
In addition, Spain signed with the United Kingdom four bilateral memoranda of understanding on the environment, police and customs cooperation, tobacco and other products, and citizens' rights, on November 29, 2018, and an agreement on tax matters, which will allow for channeling Gibraltar's exit from the EU in an orderly manner. In this regard, the minister referred to the first meetings of the Joint Committees planned in the MOUS, which will take place in Algeciras on February 26 and 27.
Soon the EU will start negotiations with the United Kingdom to determine its future relationship. The minister recalled that the European Council has indicated that Spanish consent will be necessary for any future agreement between the United Kingdom and the EU on Gibraltar. In addition, he stressed that the interests of the Campo de Gibraltar will be at the center of the negotiations.
The minister and local and regional authorities exchanged more detailed opinions on some of these issues of particular interest to the citizens of the Campo de Gibraltar.
Arancha Gonzáles Laya reiterated that one of the priorities of his Ministry in the negotiations on the future relationship with the United Kingdom and Gibraltar will be the defense of the interests of the citizens of the Campo de Gibraltar and, in particular, of the workers, with the so that the exit of the United Kingdom and Gibraltar from the Union will ultimately represent an opportunity to create a zone of shared prosperity.
The meeting took place in a constructive environment of transparency and trust, which has highlighted the willingness of all participants to cooperate effectively, aligning their positions in defense of the population of the Campo de Gibraltar.
The mayors of Algeciras, the Line of the Conception, San Roque, Los Barros, Tarifa, Castellar de la Frontera, Jimena de la Frontera and San Martín del Tesorillo participated in addition to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation , the Secretary General of Foreign Action of the Junta de Andalucía, the Subdelegation of the Government in Andalusia, the Provincial Council of Cádiz, and the Commonwealth of municipalities of the Campo de Gibraltar.
