When it comes to Gibraltar, very few people remain unaffected. This doesn’t mean that it provokes negative feelings, and even less so that the historic dispute, including the usurpation of the isthmus, should be confused with those who live on that rock. If those who look daily over this beautiful Bay of Algeciras practised the noble art of empathy with their neighbours, they could transcend personal matters in any debate concerning the negotiation of an agreement that would make life easier for those separated by a fence. When in this lengthy negotiation we speak of a Shared Prosperity Zone (SPZ) or, as referred to by the other side, the “Shared Prosperity Zone” (SPZ), it is important to clarify its meaning. This could have different interpretations depending on whether you are Yanito, British, or Spanish. This is even more so within the latter group, where differences become apparent between those who work in Gibraltar or only in the Campo de Gibraltar. Everyone tells the story from their own perspective. That’s just the way it is, no matter how much time passes. Aside from theory, above all, there is real life. However, there are undeniable aspects that facts allow us to measure objectively. To share this so-called prosperity, it is necessary first to have it. A lack of parity in prosperity would make sharing impossible.
What is meant by prosperity? The dictionary of the Real Academia Española (RAE) defines it as the “favourable course of events” and links it to other words: abundance, wellbeing, happiness, affluence, wealth, progress, expansion, success… Could these words apply to the situation of the hundreds of thousands of people living in the Campo de Gibraltar? If the answer is NO, then what prosperity is being referred to? How can someone lacking almost everything be expected to share what they don’t have? The key to the political projection of what is referred to in the negotiations as the SPZ likely lies in the concept of “Zone.” For those living in the European Union, the potential benefits of this go unnoticed. Geographic mobility, the Eurozone currency, and even the legislation from the national Parliament aren’t concerns—there’s the European Parliament for that. But for those who don’t live in that ZONE and wish to benefit as if they did, it’s a powerful incentive, especially when they had the chance to experience these advantages before leaving. The Government of Spain and the Junta of Andalusia, each within its remit, would need to make significant, very significant investments in the Bay of Algeciras to improve rail and road connectivity, healthcare facilities, education, dependency services, security, justice, etc., as well as reduce unemployment levels. In just the four municipalities in the Bay, with a registered population of 250,000 inhabitants, in August 2024, unemployment stood at 26,480 people, accounting for over 26% of the working population. Of the five Spanish cities, including Ceuta and Melilla, with the highest unemployment rates, La Línea de la Concepción ranks second (30.27%) and Algeciras fifth (23.77%), just behind Jerez de la Frontera (23.99%). If the average unemployment rate in the EU was 6.4% in April 2024, can this Zone really be described as prosperous? And if this part is not prosperous, what interest could the other side, which ranks 4th globally in per capita income, have in reaching an agreement? Ah, of course! The prosperity Gibraltar seeks doesn’t involve sharing its own but increasing it. That explains the more than four years of negotiations! Gibraltar’s goal is to join, even if only indirectly, the Schengen Area—nothing more. After all, they were part of it until 2020, despite 95% of Yanito voters rejecting Brexit. Nevertheless, the UK left them out. They wanted to remain in the EU and continue to seek the privileges they’ve lost. Those in Gibraltar who criticise Spain, attributing all the blame to it, forget that the real villain for Gibraltar has always been the United Kingdom. The merciless imposition by the British that Gibraltar should leave the Union without a prior agreement is clear evidence of this mistreatment. Given the situation, and since the beginning of the colony, London has provided the Rock with a commercial and financial free pass. Not out of any affection, but because they don’t want to bear the cost of maintaining the colony. It’s important to remember Spain’s position:
A) Gibraltar is not an integral part of the United Kingdom. B) It is a British colony on Spanish territory. C) Spain demands that this territory be returned and fully supports the United Nations' stance on this matter. D) Since 1965, the UN has considered Gibraltar a “non-self-governing territory awaiting decolonisation,” which must be achieved through bilateral negotiations between Spain and the UK. E) After Brexit, any agreements between the EU and the UK concerning Gibraltar require Spain’s prior agreement, as established by clause 24 of the European Council’s guidelines for the Brexit negotiations, which states: “No agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom may apply to the territory of Gibraltar without an agreement between Spain and the United Kingdom.”
As you can see, the issue of police uniforms or who controls the Schengen border at Gibraltar’s airport or port is trivial. Though, it may hint at the trivial matters being negotiated. The repeated refusal by Mr. Picardo, the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, to allow Spanish police at the border posts in the port and airport is a testament to this hostility. It is all the more puzzling since any complaints about controls at the airport make no sense, as this is a Spanish territory under occupation. Mr. Picardo should, in any case, refer to the agreement signed by the UK (his patron) and the EU regarding Gibraltar, which, among other more substantial matters, states: “Spanish border guards will have all the necessary powers to carry out border checks and monitoring and to fulfil the corresponding obligations.” If the colour of the border guards’ uniforms is of such importance, it’s no wonder the negotiations have dragged on for four years. About what? It’s natural for it to take time because, for now, Gibraltar continues to enjoy all the privileges. It’s high time to establish a proper Schengen border, as this would undoubtedly motivate the British side to reach an agreement, though not a treaty, to establish an SPZ.
Signed,
Rafael Fenoy