Cordoba Agreement, 2006 facts for kids
The Córdoba Agreement was a special deal made in 2006 between the governments of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Gibraltar. Its main goal was to create a way for these three parties to talk and work together on issues related to Gibraltar. It was signed in Córdoba, Spain by top officials: Miguel Ángel Moratinos from Spain, Geoff Hoon from the UK, and Peter Caruana, who was Gibraltar's leader.
Why the Agreement Was Made
This agreement was signed in 2006, but it took almost two years of discussions to reach it. For the very first time, Gibraltar was able to have its own voice in talks between Britain and Spain.
The idea for this agreement came from Spain's new government, the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, in 2004. They suggested a "Forum of Dialogue." This forum was special because Gibraltar would join the talks as an independent third party.
What the Agreement Covered
The Córdoba Agreement included several important points:
- Flights: It allowed flights to start between Spain and Gibraltar.
- Phone Calls: Spain officially recognized Gibraltar's international phone code, which is +350. It also removed limits on how many phone numbers in Gibraltar could be called from Spain. Plus, people from Gibraltar could now use their mobile phones in Spain (mobile roaming).
- Pensions: A long-standing problem about pension payments for Spaniards who used to work in Gibraltar was finally solved.
- Border Crossing: Spain promised to make it easier to cross the border into Gibraltar, reducing delays and controls.
The agreement also set up the Tripartite Forum. This was a regular meeting place for Spain, the UK, and Gibraltar to discuss different topics. In July 2009, Spain's foreign minister, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, visited Gibraltar for talks. This was the first time a Spanish minister had ever made an official visit to the British Overseas Territory.
Even though the agreement helped solve some problems, not everyone was happy with it. Some people in Spain and Gibraltar had concerns. However, the forum was designed to help everyone talk about many issues, while putting the big question of who owns Gibraltar to one side for a moment.
An expert named Peter Gold suggested that because Spain, the UK, and Gibraltar had different main goals, the agreement might help manage the "Gibraltar problem" rather than completely solve it. Spain has continued to say that it will only discuss the issue of who owns Gibraltar directly with the United Kingdom, not as part of the Tripartite Forum.
See also
In Spanish: Acuerdo de Córdoba, 2006 para niños
- Gibraltar Constitution Order 1969
- Lisbon Agreement, 1980
- Brussels Agreement, 1984
- 2002 Gibraltar sovereignty referendum
- Gibraltar Constitution Order 2006
