Spain doubts Gibraltar border deal possible without Brexit deal, source says

FILE PHOTO: The Rock of the British overseas territory of Gibraltar, historically claimed by Spain, is seen from the Spanish side of the border after UK left the European Union on Friday, near La Linea de la Concepcion, southern Spain, February 1, 2020. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain and Gibraltar want to reach a side deal with Britain to avoid having a hard EU border in southern Spain after Brexit, but have stumbled on "a lack of political will" in London, a Spanish diplomatic source said.

The source said any deal aimed at creating a "shared prosperity zone" in Gibraltar, a British territory over which Spain claims sovereignty, was unlikely before a full Brexit agreement.