Statement following the third meeting of the Specialised Committee on Gibraltar between the European Union and the UK Government via videoconference

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 European Commission and the UK Government. Representatives from Member States, including Spain, 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 EU and UK. 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 EU and the UK exchanged updates on the Protocol. We share the objective of ensuring the correct application of the Protocol to provide continued security and prosperity to Gibraltar and the surrounding area, in particular the territory of the municipalities that make up the Mancomunidad de Municipios del Campo de Gibraltar.

The EU and the UK reaffirmed their commitment to uphold the citizens’ rights commitments outlined in the Protocol. The EU recalled that it considers that the UK has failed to meet its obligations stipulated in Article 3(3) of the Protocol on Gibraltar, related to the establishment of a system of traceability and security measures relating to tobacco products.

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.