Re: Problems in Gibraltar again
 

If you view it on Google Earth you can use the historical data to scroll back in time to see the changes.

Re: Problems in Gibraltar again
 

ASCTEG, the association of Spanish workers in Gibraltar has written to the European Parliament to complain about frontier queues.

http://www.chronicle.gi/headlines_details.php?id=25181

Re: Problems in Gibraltar again
 

thought such things didnt exist in the EU for holding up movement
or
is it the fault of the British for not giving up sovereignty

if the unions "represent" thousands then that is right, they will include any and all even if they are not members and then complain they have done all the work for the benefit of non-members (can you see why I left the GMB?)

are the Spanish still going to the bunfeast of the London Olympics ??

Re: Problems in Gibraltar again
 

The Spanish reckon that crossing into Gibraltar is leaving the EU. Thus the added bother. However, this is not the case with Andorra. (Wikipedia: The "Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Principality of Andorra" (signed 28 June 1990, entered into force 1 July 1991) establishes a customs union with most favoured nation status between the Principality and the EU. Andorra is treated as an EU state where trade in manufactured goods is concerned, but not for agricultural produce. There are full customs checks on the EU side of the border, as Andorra has low VAT and other indirect taxes, such as those for alcohol, tobacco and petrol, from which visitors might benefit).

Re: Problems in Gibraltar again
 

Gibraltar is part of the EU, having joined the European Economic Community under the United Kingdom in 1973

In 1986 Spain joined the European Community; what became the European Union. Part of the joining conditions was that the frontier with Gibraltar would be normalised :rofl:

Sounds very familiar.

Do thousands of Spaniards cross into Andorra each day to work ??

Re: Problems in Gibraltar again
 

Another look at Wikipedia found this:
'Disputed Status of Gibraltar (which isn't quite up to date, if anyone wants to have a go).
It also backs up Fredbargate:
'The British Government and the Government of Gibraltar today argue that the membership of both Gibraltar and Spain in the European Union (EU) —Gibraltar was included as a Special Member State territory when the United Kingdom joined the EU in 1973; Spain joined the EU in 1986 — supersedes such restrictions as the EU is committed to free movement of goods and services'.
So, there shouldn't be any hassle from the Spanish after all...
I must also (for balance's sake) include this quote from an Australian journalist regarding Gibraltar: 'It's all so ordinary. And all the more so given where Gibraltar is, embedded like a stubborn haemorrhoid at the gate of the enchanting Mediterranean, twixt two of the world's most culturally absorbing, aesthetically bewitching nations, vibrant Spain at its frontier and compelling Morocco just 14 kilometres across the water'...

Re: Problems in Gibraltar again
 

Gibraltar is in the EU, but like the Channel Islands and Isle of Man,it,s not part of the EU Custom Zone and has autonomous tax and import export rules and regs. The Spanish are therefore within their rights to control the Border, just as the UK does with the Channel islands. Pain in the ... though !

Re: Problems in Gibraltar again
 

Correct but there is controlling and controlling.

This present dispute supposedly over the fishing rights is just a smokescreen to distract the Spanish population from the more serious financial problems.
Spain keeps quoting the Treaty of Utrecht and the fact that no waters were ceded to Gibraltar / Britain.
But in the early 1700's Spain did not have any waters to cede.

Two different concepts developed—that the area of jurisdiction should be limited to cannon-shot range, and that the area should be a much greater belt of uniform width adjacent to the coast—and in the late 18th century these concepts coalesced in a compromise view that proposed a fixed limit of 3 nautical miles

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/...itorial-waters

Re: Problems in Gibraltar again
 

A couple of years ago the local mayor demanded that the huge estate gifted to Wellington after he trounced the French (are we allowed to mention that) should be returned to the people of Spain.
He had forgotten, or didnt know his history well enough to know that the estate was given away and taken back several times by the King of Spain for various reasons.

However, I don't believe the current Duke nor his son who has taken responsibility will want to give it up, especially as it is/has been a hideaway of Prince Charles.

Re: Problems in Gibraltar again
 

Maybe we should now alter that to cruise missile range. :sneaky:

Re: Problems in Gibraltar again
 

It's not a lot to do with taxes or import/export.

Gibraltar, as a British Overseas Territory, is outside the Schengen area so border controls exist exactly the same as the do in the UK.

Re: Problems in Gibraltar again
 

It's really Spain making it hard to access Gibraltar - which it doesn't do to any of its other frontiers, nor indeed does any country in the EU to any of their frontiers.
In the old days, when the mad old caudillo closed the frontier, the British frontier guards solemnly opened the Gibraltar gates every morning and closed them every night, while the Spanish ones remained firmly shut. Those of us who had to go to Gibraltar to change money or some-such (Harold Wilson only allowed us 50 pounds a year) would go via Tangiers.

Re: Problems in Gibraltar again
 

It's being reported on the news in Gib that 40 members of the public turned up to welcome the Elephant Hunter in Algeciras today :eek:

Re: Problems in Gibraltar again
 

The Gibraltar frontier was closed completely whilst the Berlin Wall had crossing points :confused:

Re: Problems in Gibraltar again
 

well it didnt look exactly riveting on the Sexta news this evening, although it was near the top, even some of the military looked rather "casual" about it. The Royal Elephant Killer opened a new military building but it looked like they couldnt find enough people to clap.
Made the Jubilee look organised.