Maybe1day

Re;- Gibraltar signs tax agreement with US
You're lucky they haven't signed anything with me yet!
M

Fredbargate

The six month deadline that the EU gave to both Gibraltar and Spain to make altrations to the frontier has passed.
Gibraltar has implemented all recomendations Spain has done nothing.

What is the EU doing about it,

NOTHING

Domino

aren't they all on holiday, or at least packing their bags to go ??
even the UK has finished early because they have run out of things to discuss.

There must be so much peace in the world.

Fredbargate

Spain to intensify border controls

Spain has written to the European Commission blaming the Gibraltar authorities for an increase in tobacco-related activity at the border, and has vowed to intensify controls at the border as a result.

This follows the expiry of a six-month deadline the Commission had imposed for an improvement to border flow.

On Thursday, the Chief Minister and the Europe Minister said they had implemented all of the Commission’s recommendations, but Spain had done nothing.

SPAIN SAYS GIBRALTAR HAS COMPOUNDED TOBACCO SMUGGLING

The six month deadline for both sides to implement the Commission’s recommentations expired on Thursday. Spain says the UK has failed to adopt the necessary measures to curb tobacco smuggling activity, and adds that the British authorities on the Rock have made things worse instead of better. A spokesman for the Spanish Foreign Ministry says that – for example - the Royal Gibraltar Police last month caused injuries to a Guardia Civil officer at sea.

According to the Statement, the Foreign Ministry invited representatives from the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) to the Campo in March to give them a detailed appraisal of how tobacco smuggling affects the region, including the economic and social effects.

Spain tells the Commission that there are now plans for a five million Euro upgrade to the border facilities – the first time the Spanish Government has made any official announcement on this issue. It says it has kept the Commission abreast of the plans for these works, and at this stage, the Commission has not sought extra information.

Spain says Gibraltar is not part of Schengen or the Customs Union, and believes it is therefore responsible for exercising contraband and immigration controls. It says because the smuggling situation is so serious, it has no choice but to intensify controls in the future, otherwise it would not be meeting its EU obligations.

jackytoo

Wonder what the UK is saying, difficult to get Hague interested in anything than looking for personal glory...his latest mission to make his Mark in the Ukraine.

Domino

I have said it before - Hague is a wet lettuce

and make his Mark in the Ukraine? is that Mark his new boyfriend

EMR

What you do not get is that the UK population does not really care about the border problems in Gib.
They are for Gib and Spain to resolve , it is not a UK problem.

Domino

that is your opinion and your opinion alone

`

jackytoo

The same crossed my mind when I wrote it

EMR

Find any reference or any serious commentary in the UK about the traffic problems in Gib.
There are none .
Why because who gives a damn.

jimenato

So what? What's your point?

jackytoo

Ordinary normal people give a damn. Just because the media decides not to print it doesn't make it a fact. Most of the population doesn't give a damn about Ukraine but the media rams it down our throats 24 hours a day

EMR

Are you really comparing the Ukraine to the inconvenience caused by Spain to those who live in Gib. ??

jackytoo

No, can't you read.

EMR

The British public does give a damn about disputes such as the UKraine when governements start making suggestions about miltary involvement or their energy prices increasing etc.
It does not give a damn about Gib unless it is suggested that we are going to send a few traffic wardens out to police the queues.