MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
UK/Gibraltar dossier on queues at the Spanish border to make a complaint at the EC
The Foreign office and the Gibraltar government confirmed they are collecting a dossier on politically motivated queues at the Spain/Gibraltar border with a view to making a formal complaint to the European Commission. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesAnd if, somehow, the EC decide that it is legal. Or if somehow it's legal to charge British and Gibraltarians but not Spaniards, as their foreign minister seems to be suggesting, well...
Aug 10th, 2013 - 04:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Immediate implementation of stringent searches on all vehicles (especially freight vehicles) arriving from Spain, to the point of dismantling them on the dockside - after all the tobacco tax rates are that much lower in Spain, so smuggling must be a possibility and must be clamped down upon.
An introduction of a £50 entry charge and a £50 exit charge on every passenger going to Spain, which will have two effects:
1) Raising an awful lot of money that can be used to compensate the British fishing industry and the Gibraltarian government.
2) It might very well encourage tourists to seek other holiday destinations. Greece is nice this time of year, and they aren't harassing anywhere, while they could use the tourist money even more than Spain do. And by doing that we're even being “good Europeans” and spending in a deserving country that has fallen on economic hard times.
I guess any toll charge applied by the spainsh to harm gibraltar could also be applied by the UK government for each passenger travelling to spain, No?
Aug 10th, 2013 - 05:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Im sure that will force a huge majority of tourists to one of many alternative destinations, leaving the argentine wannabes pretty much fucked, smiles all round.
but why stop there maybe the EC should apply the same charge to spain, our very own Hispanic north korea in Europe, fucking clowns.
“UK/Gibraltar dossier on queues at the Spanish border to make a complaint at the EC”
Aug 10th, 2013 - 06:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Good luck with that!! The whole of the EC and EU is so anti- British, there is no point in complaining to them...
What we should be doing is engaging in a little “Gun boat” diplomacy of our own.. ramp up the pressure, 'cos I bet you a pounds to Euro's that it will be the yellow bellied Spanish that blink first.
Spain is acting under international law.They have very very good and expensive lawers who know their stuff and this is what has spooked Cameron. Thousands of pounds will be lost in Gib when the toll comes into effect as spanish drivers will no longer find it economical to buy in Gib and on top of that Gibraltans will have to pay a toll...now don´t tell me there isn´´t an excellent Law firm handling the Spanish affairs!!!
Aug 10th, 2013 - 08:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Someone was suggesting on Twitter that for every Spanish vehicle entering and leaving Gibraltar, they would charge £50 (instead of 50 Euros) and hand that over to any British vehicle charged by the Guardia Civil.
Aug 10th, 2013 - 08:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0That way, the Gibraltarians make a profit every time they cross the border and the tax falls on the Spanish people. If those Spanish can no longer afford to work in Gibraltar, we can ship in tens of thousands of unemployed who would only be too grateful for a job.
The unemployment rate in the UK may only be 7%, compared to 28% in Spain, but British people would appreciate working in a friendly town, with some marvellous sun.
*5 If any of the two countries charge a toll, they will have to charge the toll to every vehicle FROM ANY COUNTRY not just Gibraltan or spanish!! as that would be illegal under EU jurisdiction.
Aug 10th, 2013 - 09:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0unacceptable in gibraltar are these British parasites pink monkeys
Aug 10th, 2013 - 11:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@1 Wrong idea. It seems that you know little about Gibraltar. Generally speaking, vehicles are not shipped to Gibraltar. It's not an island. It's a peninsula. But (Spanish) vehicles could be dismantled when they reach Gibraltar. Your point about tax rates on tobacco goods is also wrong. There is a difference in tax rates between Gibraltar and Spain. Gibraltar's rates are lower. So the issue of smuggling exists. From Gibraltar to Spain. But, irrespective of what Spain does, Gibraltar SHOULD impose entry and exit charges on Spaniards. This would help to negate the profitability of smuggling. £100 entry charge and £100 exit charge. Perhaps more for large vehicles. According to the statistics, 10,000 Spaniards cross the border, twice, every day. That'll be £200,000 per day. Part of it could be used to refund those charged by the Spanish.
Aug 11th, 2013 - 03:56 am - Link - Report abuse 0@3 Warships should arrive by Wednesday!
@4 Should work well. 10,000 Spaniards out of work! I wonder about the compensation claims against the Spanish “government”.
@6 Gibraltar isn't an EU member state. Stuff EU “jurisdiction”. After all, Spain says Gibraltar is “different”.
@7 Gustburys are unacceptable on planet Earth. Kill the aliens!
We need to start checking the Spanish fishing fleet every time they try to fish in British waters.
Aug 11th, 2013 - 04:15 am - Link - Report abuse 0@4
Aug 11th, 2013 - 05:37 am - Link - Report abuse 0Spain is NOT acting under international or EU law. Some years ago, Spain's top law officer made a statement that they could not take the issue of Gibraltar to the International Court (exactly the same as Argentina cannot do the same) because they had no case.
Gibraltar was ceded to Britain by treaty and if Spain defies this treaty they are breaking international law. Then again, the treaty also holds that the island of Minorca is also British. If Spain pushes the case to the International Court, they may find that Great Britain would not only succeed in verifying that Gibraltar owns the Rock and the waters around the Rock (from UNCLOS), but the court may also determine that Minorca was also given to Britain in Article XI of the Treaty of Utrecht and Spain must hand it back
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Peace_and_Friendship_Treaty_of_Utrecht_between_Spain_and_Great_Britain#ARTICLE_XI
@6
For the first time, you've actually posted something correct. Any toll that was discriminatory, that was made exclusively on British & Gibraltar vehicles and not Spanish cars would be illegal under EU law.
Both Rufus, Conqueror and myself were being ironic in suggesting that Gibraltar would also impose a tax on vehicles. However, the UK could impose an airport tax on passengers travelling to Spain, to encourage the British public to go to Portugal or Greece instead. Spain depends on the British tourists. Whilst we are not the only holidaymakers in Spain, the British do make up a considerable portion of Spain's tourist economy and without them, this economy would fall.
There are also a large number of British ex-pats in Spain. Over 400,000 retirees who've purchased a villa in the sun. However, they may not stay if they are unwelcome - or hostilities break out and if these people left for Greece or Portugal, the local economies would suffer.
There are numerous ways that Britain can hurt Spain economically, but the best is the EU veto on any aid to Spain.
'Spain may ask United Nations for support over Gibraltar -El Pais - Spain may take its row with Britain over the disputed territory of Gibraltar to the United Nations, El Pais newspaper reported on Sunday, citing diplomatic sources...'
Aug 11th, 2013 - 06:21 am - Link - Report abuse 0http://www.trust.org/item/20130811100218-b10cn
'The villain of the Gibraltar piece'
http://www.trust.org/item/20130811100218-b10cn
'Why is Spain so childish - NO WONDER Spain has its glinting eyes on Gibraltar. Unemployment is amazingly low, at three per cent, in this British Crown colony.'
http://www.trust.org/item/20130811100218-b10cn
'The battle over Ceuta, Spain's African Gibraltar -
It overlooks the mouth of the Mediterranean, a fortified port city in the shadow of a towering rock. Long notorious for its smugglers, it is now a duty-free haven, owned by a country across the sea but claimed by the sovereign nation that surrounds it...'
http://www.trust.org/item/20130811100218-b10cn
8 Conqueror
Aug 11th, 2013 - 07:22 am - Link - Report abuse 0Yes, I heard. Thanks for pointing this one out. Just got this from the British forces News website
http://www.bfbs.com/news/gibraltar-navy-exercise-long-planned-64292.html
This is GREAT news and something that will make the people of “The Rock” a little bit safer.
Warships to Gibraltar - Check.
Your move spain.................
I see that the mayority of people on this forum know nothing about how the EU works, it is a pity because in the EU web page they list all the laws related to so many things..but...Gibraltar is not in Shengen...therefore they are at a disadvantage with Spain who can make their lives miserable at the border...Gibraltar can´t even close the border if The UK disapproves...
Aug 11th, 2013 - 09:36 am - Link - Report abuse 0War ships... war ships..this is the 21st century...where law over rides and if you have a good LAw firm working for you there is nothing 100 battle ships can do... the pen is mightier than the sword”. International law rules..not Britania!! and at the moment Spain has not broken any rules...It amazes me to hear your comments from a Nation that practically invented Democracy..what´s wrong with you people....
NOBODY backed up Argentina..why?? ...because she broke international law....that was her biggest mistake.....Spain is not Argentina....
@13
Aug 11th, 2013 - 10:06 am - Link - Report abuse 0Au contraire, Spain has broken EU laws already by restricting freedom of movement.
The Shengen border allows them to make checks, but these checks must not be too restrictive. 8 hour queues at the border (FOR SPANISH PEOPLE AS WELL) was far too restrictive and against Community law. That's why Spain is already being taken to the EU Commission over this.
Britain has made frequent complaints to Spain & the United Nations about their trespassing in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. Under UNCLOS these waters belong to Gibraltar and every time they trespassed, a complaint was registered. I believe that there was 174 complaints last year alone and this year, they've already exceeded that number considerably.
Many people wish that Spain would take the matter to the International Court in the Hague, because we are so certain that they would be humiliated when the court told them the waters belong to Gibraltar and that they are fighting to seize something that does not belong to them - in exactly the same way that Argentina tried to seize the Falkland Islands - which NEVER belonged to Argentina.
You can be certain that Britain will not initiate any shooting. However, you can be absolutely certain - without any doubt at all - that Britain would win any conflict. As I've said elsewhere, Britain is not a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for no reason. We have the capability to end a war decisively in our favour if we need to.
Any tax would further restrict the movement and might be discriminatory too.
*14 stike me dead!! are you a writer by chance?? I have poor eye sight my dear!! I can´t possibly read all that!! can you summarize!!??
Aug 11th, 2013 - 10:17 am - Link - Report abuse 014 nahhhhhhhh when arriving or leaving Gib you put a peaje in Spains side, sth absolutelly normal in all routes of Arg and of every country that is more big than yours and has too much more longer routes to mantain, and everybody has to pay and end of history. Which would be the problem??
Aug 11th, 2013 - 10:36 am - Link - Report abuse 0Less time to wait (reduce it), but pay, as we do pay here when using the routes.
@15 Wish I could. Although “stike” is a bit puzzling. Are you using your Braille keyboard?
Aug 11th, 2013 - 10:39 am - Link - Report abuse 0You sound very cockey!! To sure of yourself!! I don´t know if that is wise!?
Aug 11th, 2013 - 10:47 am - Link - Report abuse 0The USA was cockey and sure of themselves and look what happened to them in the Vietnam War. “ If a man consults whether he is to fight, when he has the power in his hands, it is certain that his opinion is against fighting” Horatio Nelson:
@ 15 aussie downpour (you are about as “aussie” as my culo)
Aug 11th, 2013 - 11:05 am - Link - Report abuse 0“can you summarize!!??”
My pleasure: you are an ignoramus and post downright lies as truth.
There, that was not too difficult was it.
'Gibraltar: Spain considers joint diplomatic offensive with Argentina over Falkland Islands -
Aug 11th, 2013 - 11:11 am - Link - Report abuse 0Spain is considering forging an anti-British alliance with Argentina, adopting its strategy over the Falklands Islands, as the diplomatic row over Gibraltar intensifies.
Spanish foreign minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo will use a trip to Buenos Aires next month to raise the possibility of forging a joint diplomatic offensive with the South American country over the disputed territories, sources told Spain's El Pais newspaper.
Spain's foreign ministry was also discussing whether to take its complaints over Gibraltar to the United Nations, the newspaper reported on Sunday.
The sources did not specify whether Spain would ask the UN to back a request for Britain to give up sovereignty or just adhere to certain agreements.
It could take its petition to the Security Council or take up the matter with the UN General Assembly...'
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/gibraltar/10235937/Gibraltar-Spain-considers-joint-diplomatic-offensive-with-Argentina-over-Falkland-Islands.html
13 aussie sunshine
Aug 11th, 2013 - 01:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“I see that the mayority of people on this forum know nothing about how the EU works”
huh, Yes, yes we DO know how it works, The EU / EC is where a chosen few ( Communist party leftovers ) un-elected, answerable to no one get richer and richer.
They have long, long executive lunches and travel far and wide at the expense of the European taxpayer. They all have their own fleet of cars to have themselves driven to these lunches in Monte Carlo or some other exotic location.
They pass laws that make ordinary peoples lives a misery but who cares right? they won't be out of a job anytime soon because they answer to no one.
So yes, Yes we all do know how the EU works and we also know that it is corrupt and swallows money and lives at an alarming rate. So the sooner we get out of the EU / EC the better, then we will be answering to no one but ourselves and our borders will be ours again and not in the hands of some non-elected, corrupt lunatic, ex communist party European.
Is that about right?
Spain and Argentina to get together - still doesn't amount to a brain cell
Aug 11th, 2013 - 01:48 pm - Link - Report abuse 022 alan
Aug 11th, 2013 - 01:59 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Yes, there will be a bun fight over who gets to speak first: but never mind the loser will get a medal.
'Unexpected: Spain now approaching for Gibraltar and the Falklands Argentina - When the voltage is still the expropriation of YPF, the chancellor Margalló visit next month to explore Buenos Aires territorial claim unify the Falklands and Gibraltar.
Aug 11th, 2013 - 03:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0~ ...A spokeswoman for the British Foreign Ministry made the remarks after two Spanish newspapers today inform that the Government of Madrid studying Gibraltar bring the conflict to the UN and other international forums.
“Self-determination is more important than territorial integrity. The people of Gibraltar have expressed repeatedly and overwhelmingly their desire to remain under British sovereignty, ”the spokesman said in London...'
http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1609645-inesperado-espana-ahora-se-acerca-a-la-argentina-por-gibraltar
'A colony with little resemblance to the Falklands
Its inhabitants are bilingual and Spanish traditions remain -
GIBRALTAR (From our correspondent). - The differences impact to set foot in the colony. An Argentine who has traveled to the Falklands remember the strict controls at the military airport of Mount Pleasant, crowned by a huge seal occupies a page in the passport. A Gibraltar you can go on foot from Spain without even taught a document.
Most likely, the border official will not take the time to look up from your smartphone . There is no record. The second distinction is even more surprising: the strong cultural and social ties with the neighbor who stands firm's claim of sovereignty.
Gibraltarians are bilingual, but, except for official matters, use more Spanish. Among them are speaking in a dialect, llanito, a curious mixture of Spanish words and English. “ Carry on to the bottom ”, you scream, for example, the driver of a bus that begins to fill at the entrance to the city...'
http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1609645-inesperado-espana-ahora-se-acerca-a-la-argentina-por-gibraltar
Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!