Joseph Garcia, Gibraltar’s deputy chief minister has promoted the idea of a new common travel area with the EU during a recent trip to Brussels.
Garcia, speaking at a reception at Gibraltar House in Brussels, has suggested that this will be the best solution for the territory post-Brexit. 96% of Gibraltarians voted to remain and there have been calls to close the office as a protest to the EU’s treatment.
The deputy chief minister reassured the audience that his government had every intention of maintaining its mission in Brussels and cited British Overseas Territories such as Bermuda and jurisdictions like the Channel Islands as examples of countries affiliated with the UK who have also maintained offices in the city. Bermuda’s office was only opened after the referendum.
Of paramount importance to Gibraltar now will be to ensure its border with Spain remains free-flowing for residents, tourists, and workers. One solution he suggested would be to create a common travel area between Gibraltar and the EU as has been done with other micro-states inside the geographical territory of the EU.
Whether this suggestion will be feasible is yet to be seen as the UK government has indicated that it will negotiate terms with the EU on behalf of all of its territories meaning those with special requirements such as Gibraltar and Scotland may not get to negotiate separate arrangements.
