After the first telephone conversation this Monday, the Spanish foreign minister said: José Manuel Albaresand his newly appointed British counterpart David Cameron, organizer who triggered the referendum ‘Brexit‘Faces seen at an incident in Brussels Ministerial meeting at NATO headquarters Here they talked not only about Ukraine, its southern neighbors and the difficulties posed by China. Both leaders seized the opportunity to discuss bilaterally an issue that is still on the table: Gibraltar status After Britain leaves the EU. According to Albares, the agreement between the EU and the UK is “very close” and although no date has been set, he warns that it “should not be delayed”. European elections in June 2024 These should be a “dot”.
“We made progress today because David Cameron showed that willingness. He was willing and more than willing to talk to me on the phone. He was the one who requested this phone call and we talked about certain issues without any tension or conflict.” – announced Albares after his meeting at NATO headquarters with Cameron, who met with the vice president in Brussels this Wednesday. commission Maros Sefkovic, almost completely focused Gibraltar The head of Spanish diplomacy explained that there are also elements that distinguish them from an agreement, such as the formula for shared use of the airport and other elements “which we reserve for negotiation due to diplomatic discretion”. Is there an agreement on border controls? “I guarantee that I will come to see you when everything is decided. “We will now allow the teams to work,” he added.
When Albares arrived at the Atlantic Alliance headquarters, he insisted: “the ball is still on the court United Kingdom” and London needs to decide whether it wants a deal or prefers the application of European law. The meeting did not serve to resolve the negotiations, but served to restart them. “paralytic” for a few months. “We are so close that specific, specific aspects remain. “Most parts of the deal have already been agreed upon,” Albares insisted, adding that the main issue now is “finding effective formulas.”
Despite the optimism with which he faced this new phase, the Minister does not put a date Although it somewhat acknowledges that the political calendar is under pressure, it does not limit any time horizon. Madrid and London have instructed their negotiating teams to continue negotiations, which “should not be further delayed” given that the deal must be closed before the start of the election campaign. european elections It will take place at the beginning of June 2024. “The agreement with the European Commission needs to be closed and in June we will have elections for a new commission, this is a final point, the beginning of the campaign for the European Commission. European elections” emerged.