Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, in a written answer on 1 July 2026, defended the EU-UK Agreement on Gibraltar as a framework that preserves the integrity of the Single Market, the Customs Union, and the Schengen area, while leaving sovereignty positions unchanged. The answer, responding to a question from MEP Alvise Pérez (NI), sought to reassure that the agreement does not normalise Gibraltar's exceptional status without progress on sovereignty.
The Commissioner stressed that the agreement is without prejudice to the legal positions of Spain and the UK on sovereignty and jurisdiction. He outlined concrete safeguards: Spain will perform full Schengen checks at Gibraltar's port and airport, and will be responsible for border surveillance in adjacent waters. For goods, customs checks will be carried out by Spanish authorities or jointly with UK authorities in respect of Gibraltar, with strong cooperation on tax, customs, anti-fraud, and tobacco provisions.
Regarding British military facilities, Šefčovič justified special rules for the entry and exit of goods and personnel as necessary to ensure the continued functioning of the military base in Gibraltar. The answer contained no new numerical targets or deadlines, instead reiterating the terms of the political agreement reached on 11 June 2025. The Commission's stance signals a focus on operational implementation rather than reopening sovereignty debates, with Spain retaining key border and security controls under EU rules.