EU and UK negotiators reached a political agreement last summer on a deal to remove all physical barriers, checks and controls on persons and goods circulating between Spain and Gibraltar.

The legal text of the agreement was finalised in December, but has not yet been published.

In a statement today, the Commission said it had adopted proposals for the signing, provisional application and conclusion of the EU-UK agreement in respect of Gibraltar.

The proposals will now be transmitted to the Council of the European Union, which will proceed with the necessary steps leading to signature and conclusion of the agreement.

The European Parliament will need to give its consent, in accordance with the EU treaties.

Maroš Šefčovič, the European commissioner for trade and economic security, interinstitutional relations and transparency, said: “Our goal has been clear and strategic: to secure long-term prosperity for the region, while fully safeguarding Schengen, the EU Single Market and our Customs Union.

“With 15,000 people crossing daily between Gibraltar and Spain, this is about legal certainty, confidence for businesses and people as well as a cooperative future that reinforces our mutual relationship.”