Unions, worker associations, businessmen and neighbors on both sides of the fence have welcomed this apparent consensus on “general political lines” coming from Brussels with a mixture of caution and skepticism. “A step forward must be valued positively, but the uncertainty for the workers continues,” explained the general secretary of the Workers' Commissions in Campo de Gibraltar, Manuel Triano.
In the 18 rounds of meetings, which began in October 2021, the discussion has gone through hot and cold moments, especially related to the presence of Spanish police or Frontex at the airport and port, where they will border controls will be in place if the agreement comes to fruition. The agreement signed on New Year's Eve 2020 freed Gibraltar from being affected by the consequences of a hard Brexit, thanks to the memoranda in which the United Kingdom and Spain agreed to temporarily maintain the Rock's relations with its surroundings while they negotiated the treaty. In all this time, the neighbors have been scrutinizing the little that has been known about the details of the negotiation with a changing interest.