Statement following the meeting of the Gibraltar Specialised Committee - 16 April 2021
This statement follows the meeting of the Specialised Committee on the Protocol on Gibraltar between the UK Government and the European Commission via video conference.
The third meeting of the Specialised Committee on the Protocol on Gibraltar was held on Friday 16 April 2021, co-chaired by officials from the UK Government and the European Commission. Representatives from the Government of Gibraltar attended as part of the UK delegation and representatives from Spain and other Member States attended as part of the EU delegation.
The Committee was established by the Withdrawal Agreement to facilitate the implementation and application of the Protocol on Gibraltar included in the Withdrawal Agreement, which is a key priority for the UK and the EU. In the field of citizens’ rights, the work of the Committee is based on the deliberations of the coordinating committee, established by the Protocol and implemented by a Memorandum of Understanding, as a forum for regular discussion between the competent authorities on citizens’ rights.
The UK and the EU exchanged updates on Article 1 of the Protocol, relating to citizens’ rights, and examined the application of these obligations. The UK is committed to ensuring the correct application of the Protocol to provide continued security and prosperity to Gibraltar and Spain, in particular the territory of the municipalities that make up the Mancomunidad de Municipios del Campo de Gibraltar.
The UK and the EU reaffirmed their commitment to uphold the citizens’ rights commitments outlined in the Protocol. The EU also referred to obligations under Article 3(3) of the Protocol, related to the establishment of a system of traceability and security measures relating to tobacco products that ceased to apply at the end of the transition period.
The co-chairs agreed that the Specialised Committee will meet as required and at least once a year to discuss any relevant issues, including the reports from the coordinating committee.
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