UK Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron is to sit down with his Spanish counterpart José Manuel Albares on April 12, in what is being seen as a key and definitive meeting over the future relations of Gibraltar with Spain and the European Union.
The Executive Vice President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič, and Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo will also head to Brussels, Belgium.
Also in attendance will be the territory’s Deputy Chief Minister Joseph García, Attorney General Michael Llamas and its Chief Secretary, Glendon Martínez.
Given the European elections are approaching and talks over the British territory’s post-Brexit relations with the European bloc have been going on since October 2021, this gathering will likely be the last in which high-profile politicians will discuss how to unblock the negotiation on the treaty.
Spanish publication EuropaSur said of the imminent face-to-face in Brussels: “The impression is that we are witnessing a point of no return, an all or nothing situation: either there is an agreement or the deck is stacked until further notice”.
Spirits are reportedly high ahead of the meeting, with Mr Ricardo saying he is “optimistic” about the encounter and the chances to make significant progress.
He said: “I look forward to engaging on treaty issues with the different parties later this week.
“Gibraltar remains fully committed to secure a safe treaty which will govern our future relationship with the EU.
“If the deal on offer is not safe, then I will clearly not bring it back, but I am confident that we may be able to agree a positive and constructive way forward.
“I am optimistic that the meeting on Friday will very positively advance matters and move us firmly into the territory for delivery of this treaty.”
Mr Albares said he does not expect an accord to be struck on Friday due to the “complex” issues being undertaken.
Still, he added: “But we are starting to be close to an accord on the general lines.”
In 2020, Britain and Spain reached a provisional agreement over free access for goods and people in post-Brexit Gibraltar.
However, no definitive accord has yet been drawn up.
