Statement following the second meeting of the Specialised Committee on Gibraltar between the European Union and the UK Government

The European Union and the United Kingdom held the second meeting of the Specialised Committee on Gibraltar today.

It was hosted by the UK and co-chaired by officials from the European Commission and the UK Government. Officials from Member States, including Spain, participated as members of the EU Delegation.

The Specialised Committee on Gibraltar facilitates the implementation and application of the Protocol on Gibraltar, as included in the Withdrawal Agreement. The cooperation foreseen in the Protocol on Gibraltar is based on the work of the coordinating committees as detailed in the four Memoranda of Understanding concluded between Spain and the United Kingdom and mentioned in that Protocol.  

The EU and the UK exchanged on the progress made on the key elements of the Protocol on Gibraltar: Citizens’ Rights, Environmental Matters, Police and Customs cooperation and Fiscal Matters.

In particular on Citizens’ Rights, significant progress has been made throughout the year, and close cooperation has allowed for good preparation of the implementation of the relevant provisions in the Withdrawal Agreement (Part Two) and the Protocol on Gibraltar.

The EU and the UK reaffirmed their commitment to upholding all commitments outlined in the Protocol on Gibraltar, including in Environmental Matters, Police and Customs Cooperation and Fiscal Matters. The proper and timely implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, and its Protocol on Gibraltar, remains a key priority for the EU.

The EU asked for a session of this Specialised Committee to take place in the first three months of 2021.