EU calls Britain and Spain to cooperate on nature protection issues in Gibraltar waters
The European Commission has again urged Britain and Spain to cooperate on nature protection issues in Gibraltar waters, according to press reports in Spain. The reports cited anonymous Brussels officials saying the Commission had asked both countries to work to that end.
Despite protests from the UK and Gibraltar, Brussels has allowed Spain to designate an EU nature site in Gibraltar waters even though it has no jurisdiction. Part of that site overlaps an existing British conservation site. For the Commission, that places legal obligations on both countries. The issue was first raised last June.
Janez Potocnik, the EU Environment Commissioner, said Britain and Spain must find a practical way of managing their respective sites in Gibraltar waters.
The Gibraltar Government reacted to that statement by saying that it was based on the false premise that the waters around Gibraltar are anything other than exclusively British Gibraltar Territorial Waters.
It said it would raise the matter immediately with the European Commission, though it was not clear if that had happened and with what result.
Meanwhile the Spanish Government believes the court summons issued to the captain of the Spanish fishing boat Divina Providencia “has no validity”, according to a Saturday report by the Europa Press new agency.
The report cited anonymous diplomatic sources in Spain as saying that the alleged offence had been committed in “Spanish waters” and that Gibraltar’s courts had no jurisdiction.
They also said that under a 2000 agreement, any communication between judicial authorities in Gibraltar and Spain should be via the British Government in London.
The summons was handed to the captain of the Divina Providencia in Gibraltar waters by the Royal Gibraltar Police. Among other claims, the summons contains an allegation of breaches of local conservation laws.
Suggested Stories
-
May 17th 2013
Pope Francis condemned the global ‘cult of money’ and the ‘new idols’
-
May 17th 2013
Uruguay’s José Mujica lauds booming Brazil ties
-
May 17th 2013
Prince Harry and PM Cameron launch in New York global campaign to promote Britain
-
May 16th 2013
Falklands’ war: Defense releases stats on deaths of military personnel
7 comments Feed
Note: Comments do not reflect MercoPress’ opinions. They are the personal view of our users. We wish to keep this as open and unregulated as possible. However, rude or foul language, discriminative comments (based on ethnicity, religion, gender, nationality, sexual orientation or the sort), spamming or any other offensive or inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated. Please report any inadequate posts to the editor. Comments must be in English. Thank you.
And there was NO agreed concept of “territorial waters” when the Treaty of Utrecht was signed. So, by its own argument, Spain has NO territorial waters. There was NO international agreement on territorial waters until 1982 by virtue of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
And, on the subject of the summons, even if there were an agreement in 2000, we can all remember that latino countries ditch such agreements when they are not in their interest. And a summons is not a communication between “judicial authorities”. It is an order by a properly and legally constituted court for someone to appear in order to answer allegations. The Spanish captain had better turn up, or find himself arrested.
2... Obviously you do because you have logged on read the article and commented.
Your vitriol and insults only serve to highlight the poverty of your arguments and your intellectual bankruptcy.
The EU amonst many others does not accept your view that: 'there was NO agreed concept of “territorial waters” when the Treaty of Utrecht was signed. So, by its own argument, Spain has NO territorial waters. There was NO international agreement on territorial waters until 1982 by virtue of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea'.
Spain does not recognise Gibraltar’s judicial authorities. Not only that, but the summons was served in waters that Spain regards as Spanish. Moreover under a 2000 agreement, any communication between judicial authorities in Gibraltar and Spain must be via the British Government in London. Check mate!
I would like to see what Gibraltar does now!
Same old same old nothings changed
Both are complete non-issues really. Your indifference really shows sometimes.
I'd doubt even the PM would be addressed about such things.
Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!