Gib Joins the Schengen Area

From Bloomberg (partial paywall) here: ‘Gibraltar Dodges Hard Brexit After Spain and UK Reach Accord. Spain and the UK struck a last-minute deal over Gibraltar that eases access to the territory and removes the threat of fresh restrictions at the border with the European Union following Britain’s departure from the bloc on January 1st.

A preliminary agreement was reached that would help build “shared prosperity,” Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya told reporters on Thursday. The territory will operate under passport-free Schengen terms, she said, adding that the final agreement is expected to come into force within six months…’. 

‘Gibraltar hails 'historic day' as last-minute deal greeted with relief’ says The Guardian here.

From the HM Govenment comes a statement from the British Foreign Secretary. 

Meanwhile, the increasingly rightist El Mundo, helpfully compares it to the fall of the Berlin Wall (!). 

It does seem a bit odd, as the United Kingdom leaves the EU, that a small corner of it goes in the other direction. Spain will henceforth be responsible for who can visit Gibraltar.