GIBEXIT ‘DEAL’ ANNOUNCEMENT LOOMING?

There is increasing press commentary following statements on Monday by the Spanish Foreign Minister, Jose Manuel Albares, that a final announcement of a political Gibexit ‘deal’ governing the relationship between the UK and the EU/Spain over Gibraltar will be made tomorrow or Friday.

It is also said that the Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, has had to cancel the Government’s farewell party for His Excellency the Governor, Sir David Steel, due to his having had to travel Brussels to attend the meeting as part of the UK delegation.

He will join the UK Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron, and Sñr Albares at a meeting with EU Executive Vice-President Maros Sefcovic.

HEARD IT HERE FIRST

It is all something that you heard here first.

The blog of 3rd May said, “There is a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers on 16-17 May in Strasbourg. We shall see if a Gibexit treaty progress announcement will be made then.”

The blog of 9th May said, “As previously said on this blog, there is a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers on 16-17 May in Strasbourg. We shall see if a Gibexit treaty progress announcement will be made on the peripheries of that meeting.”

SPANISH PRESS REPORTS

The Spanish press reiterate that Sñr Albares has confirmed the dismantling of the frontier fence and the use of the Gibraltar airport by Spanish and other European airlines. The hope is that will encourage the development of the Campo de Gibraltar.

He is said to have expressed his confidence that the Mayors of the Campo de Gibraltar will travel on a direct flight to Madrid from Gibraltar to the next round of talks that may be held with him.

He insists that the agreement to be announced will guarantee the rights and improve the lives of current and future cross-border workers. He reiterated that it will be historic and greatly benefit thousands of workers.

Further that the ‘deal’ will allow the free movement of military personnel using the base.

‘DEAL’ POINTERS

Diplomatic sources also point to agreement being close with time being limited by forthcoming elections in Spain and then the UK.

The summoning of a meeting of Gibraltar’s Parliament on 21st May and that of Spain on 22nd May are further indicators that a Gibexit ‘deal’ announcement is imminent.

There is a little time to wait to hear a confirmation or denial.