Gibraltar-Spain border delays: EU recommendations six months on
16 May 2014 04:14 PM
Minister for Europe
welcomes Gibraltar’s Chief Minister and calls for Spain to implement EU
recommendations to reduce border delays.
The Minister of Europe, the Rt.
Hon David Lidington MP, welcomed the Chief Minister of Gibraltar the Hon Fabian
Picardo MP to London. As well as reaffirming the strong bonds between the UK
and Gibraltar and the UK’s commitment to stand by the people of
Gibraltar, Mr Picardo’s visit provided an opportunity to discuss the
unacceptable delays at the Spanish/Gibraltar border.
On 15 November 2013, the
European Commission wrote to the UK and Spain with recommendations aimed at
easing the delays at the Gibraltar-Spain border. The Commission asked for an
update within six months from the authorities in Gibraltar and Spain on how the
recommendations were being implemented.
The Minister for Europe
said:
It is now six months since the
European Commission sent recommendations aimed at easing the delays at the
border between Gibraltar and Spain. Despite that, politically motivated and
disproportionate checks imposed by Spain continue to create severe difficulties
for the people of Gibraltar – and for people on the Spanish side of the
border.
Her Majesty’s Government
of Gibraltar has taken significant steps, in a very short period, to address
the Commission’s recommendations, including: o increasing powers of
authorities to tackle smugglers; o upgrades to the border infrastructure to
make smuggling more difficult; o reducing the number of cigarettes that an
individual can buy; o raising duty on tobacco;
I am deeply concerned by the
delay by the authorities in Spain in responding to the Commission’s
recommendations. The Commission has already concluded that the intensity of the
checks is unjustified. Spain needs to take simple, practical steps to improve
the situation - and quickly.
The government is clear that we
will maintain diplomatic pressure on the Spanish government until checks at the
border return to reasonable, proportionate levels. We will continue to protect
the interests of Gibraltar, its people, its security and
economy.
Further
information
Following the Prime
Minister’s intervention with President Barroso over excessively long
queues at the Gibraltar-Spain border last summer, a European Commission
monitoring team visited the Gibraltar-Spain border on 25 September
2013.
On 15 November 2013 the European
Commission followed up with letters to HMG and the Government of Spain
containing recommendations aimed at easing the border delays. The Commission
asked for updates within six-months and agreed to consider a follow-up visit if
appropriate.
Links to earlier related
statements: Issued 15Nov13 Issued
2Sep13
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