MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Foreign Secretary Hague updates Parliament on the Gibraltar/Spain conflict

Foreign Secretary Hague: These actions and threats are wholly unacceptable

British Foreign Secretary William Hague in an update to Parliament on the Spain/Gibraltar situation (border delays and illegal incursions into BGTW) said that the UK government continues to collect evidence of the Spanish disproportionate unlawful border measures, to share with the European Commission before their monitoring mission arrives and is also keeping under review the option of taking direct legal action against the Spanish Government.

Since 26 July, attempts by the Spanish government to exert pressure on Gibraltar and its people have increased significantly. Disproportionate and time-consuming checks have been introduced at the Gibraltar-Spain border, leading to delays of up to seven hours. At those same borders we have seen ambulances being searched and prohibitions placed on the transport of essential building materials. In addition the Government of Spain has publicly made a series of threats of further action and, beginning in April 2012 Spanish state vessels have continued to make multiple illegal incursions into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW).

These actions and threats are wholly unacceptable. The impact of the border delays has been felt most severely by local citizens, both Gibraltarians and the thousands of Spanish commuters who benefit from employment in Gibraltar. As well as having to endure long delays in hot weather, people crossing the border have reported aggressive behavior by the teams of Guardia Civil officers brought from other parts of Spain to conduct the enhanced checks. There have been disturbing reports of Gibraltar licensed cars being burnt or vandalized in Spain. The ban on importing certain materials is already having an impact on infrastructure projects and the reduction in the number of people able to cross the border has reduced retail sales.

These measures are disproportionate and obviously politically motivated, having been introduced immediately after the lawful creation by the Government of Gibraltar of an artificial reef in BGTW. They are also unlawful under EU law. By contrast the creation of the reef was legal and is part of the Government of Gibraltar’s long term marine environmental management plan designed to improve fish stocks and regenerate habitat. The use of inert concrete blocks to create artificial reefs is consistent with international best practice and with the Government of Spain’s own approach to artificial reefs.

The UK Government has responded to these developments robustly and in close concert with the Government of Gibraltar. Our aim is to ensure that Gibraltarians can go about their business unhampered and free from intimidation, and to uphold the rights and interests of Gibraltar and the United Kingdom.

We summoned the Spanish Ambassador on 2 August. The Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and I have protested in the strongest terms to our counterparts, emphasizing that Britain will not stand by in the face of continued hostility and stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Gibraltar. We have also spoken to our other European counterparts to make sure that they are aware of the details of Spain’s unjustifiable behavior.

We have asked that the European Commission urgently sends a monitoring mission to the border to investigate the delays, and following the Prime Minister’s intervention, we welcome President Barroso’s confirmation that a mission will soon be deployed. In partnership with the Government of Gibraltar, we are continuing to collect evidence of the disproportionate unlawful border measures, and will share this with the European Commission before their monitoring mission arrives. We are also keeping under review the option of taking direct legal action against the Spanish Government.

We challenge and protest against every unlawful incursion. Following the recent Guardia Civil underwater incursion, our response has focused on three key lines of operation: surveillance - to ensure the area was properly monitored; deterrence - increasing patrol activity and general presence in the vicinity of the reef; and prevention - with the Royal Navy, Royal Gibraltar Police and the Gibraltar Defense Police ready to deploy to counter incursions.

On 7 August I again confirmed to the Spanish Government our commitment to a diplomatic solution, repeating the offer made in April 2012 for ad hoc talks involving all relevant parties while remaining strongly committed to the Trilateral Forum of Dialogue between the UK, Gibraltar and Spain.

We will continue to respect the wishes of the people of Gibraltar, and will take whatever action is necessary to safeguard Gibraltar, its people and its economy.