The Chief Minister last week met representatives of the Cross Frontier Group at No.6 Convent Place as part of a series of stakeholder briefings ahead of treaty implementation. The GFSB attended in its capacity as a CFG member, representing businesses and workers directly affected by border arrangements.

Treay Text was shared at the meeting

Attendees were given access to the treaty text in hard copy. The Chief Minister acknowledged that, given differing confidentiality regimes across EU member states, a leak of the text is likely before formal publication.

The legal scrub is complete. An Opposition briefing was held the previous day. Stakeholder consultations are ongoing. Public release is expected shortly, with ratification targeted before the end of March, subject to parliamentary processes.

A motion to debate the treaty is expected in the Gibraltar Parliament in the coming weeks.

10th April hard deadline

Much of the discussion focused on 10 April 2026, when the EU’s new Entry/Exit System comes fully into force.

The shared objective across the room was clear: ensure provisional application or ratification of the treaty before that date to avoid a “hard border” outcome.

The Cross Frontier Group underlined the importance of protecting the seamless movement of around 15,000 cross-border workers whose daily mobility underpins economic life on both sides of the border.

No deal would be ‘Catastrophic’

The CFG reiterated unanimously that a No Deal scenario would be “catastrophic” for Gibraltar and the wider Campo de Gibraltar.

While welcoming the successful conclusion of negotiations, business representatives raised concerns about the practical impact of the new customs framework and Transaction Tax regime.

Retail and wholesale were singled out as particularly exposed to higher import costs.

On Spanish preparedness, concerns were raised about staffing and training at Algeciras. The Chief Minister indicated that Gibraltar volumes would represent only a small proportion of overall throughput.

Worker protections were discussed

Trade union representatives from Unite and CCOO focused on job security during transition.

They asked whether the Chief Minister would jointly address stewards to reiterate previous assurances regarding redundancies and employment protections. He was receptive, noting the importance of dispelling fear and maintaining confidence.

What happens now?

• Legal scrub: completed
• Opposition briefing: completed
• Stakeholder consultations: ongoing
• Public release: imminent
• Ratification: targeted before end March

The CFG will continue lobbying efforts in Madrid and London to maintain political momentum through ratification.

This meeting forms part of the GFSB’s ongoing work to ensure that the voices of those most affected by border arrangements are heard at the highest level.

Members are encouraged to share specific operational concerns so these can be fed into ongoing discussions. As the transition phase approaches, practical clarity will be as important as political agreement.