Europe: End of the Gibraltar border and Iceland's pro-European turn

Negotiations concerning Gibraltar, ongoing for nearly a decade since the British Brexit referendum, have reached their conclusion. The main premise of the new treaty is the inclusion of this territory into the Schengen zone, which will allow for the physical removal of the so-called Verja, the fence separating the Rock from the Spanish town of La Línea de la Concepción. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed that Spanish officers will serve at the Gibraltar port and airport, controlling arrivals from countries outside the zone. Despite Madrid's enthusiasm, local authorities from the Campo de Gibraltar region express concerns. Controversy was sparked by the fact that the thousand-page draft treaty was first published in English, which drew criticism from local mayors demanding greater transparency. The dispute over sovereignty of Gibraltar has lasted since 1713, when under the Treaty of Utrecht the territory passed under British rule following the Spanish War of Succession. Simultaneously in the north of the continent, Iceland returns to the discussion about membership in the European Union. Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir announced a referendum in the coming months on resuming accession negotiations. Although Brussels welcomes these signals, Iceland is analyzing the benefits of membership primarily through the lens of Arctic security. The new geopolitical situation, including Russian expansionism, has forced Icelanders to re-analyze the benefits of accession. Recent polls suggest growing support for integration, although traditional fishing issues remain a sticking point. Meanwhile, in Central Europe, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš declared that his country will not strive for defense spending above 2.1% of GDP, marking a clear departure from earlier ambitions and regional arms trends. „España no renuncia a la soberanía, pero este acuerdo permite que desaparezca el último muro de la Europa continental” (Spain does not renounce sovereignty, but this agreement allows the last wall on the European continent to disappear) — José Manuel Albares The treaty's entry into force is planned for April 10, 2026. Although the British government emphasizes that Gibraltar's sovereignty remains unchanged, the Spanish opposition from the People's Party accuses the government of Pedro Sánchez of "claudicación", or concessions, which could weaken Madrid's position in future territorial disputes. In the Campo de Gibraltar region, there is uncertainty regarding the status of thousands of cross-border workers, for whom the fence removal is an opportunity, but the new legal framework raises concerns about employment stability and customs controls.