The UK and EU have agreed on a deal to create an open land border between Gibraltar and Spain, according to a 1,000-page draft treaty published on Thursday.
The agreement, which is set to come into force in April, will allow Spanish border guards to check the passports of travelers to Gibraltar at the Rock's airport and port, as reported by the UK government.
The extra Spanish checks will be carried out following immigration checks conducted by Gibraltar officials, with Spanish guards having powers to arrest, search, and interview travelers where justified, as stated in the treaty.
Border Control Arrangements
Under the deal, Gibraltar will not officially join the Schengen zone, but Spanish authorities will carry out a 'second line' of Schengen border controls, as confirmed by the UK government.
The system should eventually allow for the removal of 'La Verja', the 1.2km chain link fence along Gibraltar's land border with Spain, which is crossed every day by around half of the Rock's workforce, according to the territory's government.
Reaction to the Deal
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares welcomed the deal, saying it would mean the disappearance of 'the last wall in continental Europe', in a video clip posted on his social media account.
Fabian Picardo, Gibraltar's chief minister, also welcomed the agreement, adding it delivers 'the certainty our people and businesses need', as reported by the BBC.
Customs and Tax Arrangements
The deal will see Gibraltar join the EU's customs union, and align its import taxes to those applied by Spain, with the territory keeping its zero-VAT regime but charging a new 'transaction tax' on goods imported into or made in the territory, as stated in the treaty.
The UK government says a majority of goods destined for Gibraltar will be cleared by EU customs offices in Spain, in a deal designed to avoid the need for customs checks at the land border, as reported by the government.
