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The British ambassador in Spain was grilled by regional mayors during a visit to southern Spain yesterday about the uncertainty surrounding Gibraltar’s post-Brexit fate.
Alex Ellis was pressed to make a quick stop in Estepona by Estepona’s local leaders.
He also paid a visit to the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo to discuss a ‘range of matters’.
“They reaffirmed the strength of the UK–Gibraltar partnership and the shared commitment to delivering a positive outcome on the ongoing Brexit treaty process,” a government spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the British embassy in Madrid confirmed that Ellis met the mayors of Algeciras and La Linea to gain ‘first-hand insight into the situation in the Campo de Gibraltar.’
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Algeciras Mayor Jose Ignacio Landaluce, a fierce Gibraltar critic, urged Ellis to provide ‘clarity, knowledge and respect’ for the region, adding that his town had been left in the dark about negotiations between London, Madrid and Brussels.
“We are living in constant uncertainty, because neither the Spanish Government nor the European Union has told us the details,” said he, warning that if there is no transparency, the locals will fear Gibraltar’s victory in the negotiations at the expense to neighbouring towns.
Landaluce highlighted issues like cross-border trading, taxation and the environment, as well housing prices. She stressed that a bad agreement could harm local shops, workers or even the important Port of Algeciras.
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“We are looking for the best deal, but this cannot mean that Gibraltar wins while Campo de Gibraltar is left behind,” he said.
Ellis visited Estepona where the Mayor, Jose Maria Garcia Urbano, emphasized cooperation over confrontation.
He highlighted the strong links between Estepona and Britain, with more than 4,500 Britons living in the town. This is around 6% of its population. One in five hotel guests are from the UK.
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Garcia Urbano stated that “this reflects the deep connections between our municipality with the UK in both tourism and society.”
The ambassador met in Estepona with councillors, British associations and other community leaders to thank them for their efforts supporting older residents.
Ellis said, “The British Community here is a Bridge between our Countries.”
The visits show the two sides of Britain’s relationship to southern Spain. There is a settled and active British community on the Costa del Sol. But there is also a simmering unease at Campo de Gibraltar, as long-awaited talks on an EU-UK treaty drag out.
The Olive Press offers more Gibraltar News.
