The final provisions to the Withdrawal Agreement record
the UK and the EU’s commitment to negotiate in good
faith and conclude agreements envisaged by the
Political Declaration on their future relationship
within a certain time frame. The UK’s Permanent
Representative has sent a letter to the
Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union
setting out the UK’s interpretation of Article 184 of
the Withdrawal Agreement, which is that it imposes no
obligations regarding the territorial scope of future
agreements. The letter also makes clear that the UK
will negotiate future agreements on behalf of all
territories for whose external relations it is
responsible.
A UK Government spokesperson said:
“The Prime Minister has been absolutely clear that we
stand behind British sovereignty for Gibraltar and that
we will get a deal on the future that works for the
whole UK family.
“For the withdrawal negotiations, given there are some
circumstances which are specific to Gibraltar, we held
talks with Spain which directly involved the Government
of Gibraltar. These were constructive and we look
forward to taking the same approach to the future
relationship.”
Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar has issued the
following statement:
“Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar welcomes the
unwavering commitment of the United Kingdom that it
will negotiate future trade and other arrangements with
the EU that work for all of the British family of
nations, including Gibraltar.
The deep and unbreakable bonds that bind the United
Kingdom and Gibraltar together have not in any way, and
will not be in any way, be diluted as a result of our
common departure from the EU.
Brexit will have no effect on the British sovereignty
of Gibraltar and the waters that surround it.
Gibraltar is leaving the EU at the same time as the
United Kingdom, despite having voted overwhelmingly to
remain, because it is our relationship with Britain
that guarantees our security, prosperity and the
certainty of the rule of law.
The Chief Minister of Gibraltar of her Majesty’s
Government of Gibraltar, the Hon Fabian Picardo QC MP,
said: ‘Throughout our history we’ve stuck with Britain.
After Brexit, we will stick with Britain in the future
too. This is our most important relationship. And as
the UK establishes new trading relationships around the
world, we look forward to the opportunities that will
come from the benefits of our common language, our
common law and the ties that bind us with the
Commonwealth of nations around the world.’”
