Spain will have the last word on who enters Gibraltar under a preliminary deal on border arrangements for the U.K. territory, Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya told El Pais in an interview.<\/p>\n
Responsibility for overseeing the new passport-free Schengen agreement terms for entry to Gibraltar\u2019s port and airport, as envisaged in the accord, would be Spain\u2019s, Gonzalez told the newspaper..<\/p>\n
\u201cEvidently, there must be a Spanish presence to carry out the minimum tasks of Schengen control,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Under the deal, however, neither government has given an inch in their claims to sovereignty over the territory, she told El Pais.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we have seen is a change of paradigm which is not made up with concessions but by a convergence of interests between Gibraltarians and Spaniards, both of whom are pro-European,\u201d Gonzalez said. \u201cThis is the fruit of Brexit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spain and the U.K. sealed a last-minute accord on Dec. 31 to avoid stricter controls on movement and people and goods to the territory at the entrance to the Mediterranean that has been under British control since 1713.<\/p>\n
Under a four-year implementation period, officials from the European border agency Frontex will assist with controls at the port and airport, with Spain as the party responsible for overseeing the new Schengen arrangements.<\/p>\n
The U.K. remains steadfast in its support for Gibraltar and its sovereignty has been safeguarded, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement on Thursday.<\/p>\n