European Commission Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation José Manuel Albares and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, together with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo, met in Brussels earlier today.
Commenting on the EU Commission’s statement on unlawful frontier checks this afternoon, Minister for Europe David Lidington has insisted that they are making ‘strong recommendations to the Spanish government to improve the situation in Gibraltar’.
Minister Lidington welcomed the announcement of clear recommendations for Spain to improve the functioning of the Gibraltar-Spain border and follow up within six months. Commenting on the matter, he said, ‘Unacceptable border delays of up to four hours continue to impact on peoples’ lives in and around Gibraltar.
Commission Statement Contains Very Positive Recommendations
Her Majesty's Government of Gibraltar notes that the EU Commission has said it has "found no evidence" during its one day visit to the Gibraltar land frontier with Spain that the frontier checks being carried out by Spain are contrary to EU treaty requirements. This finding flies in the face of the reality being experienced by commuters and travellers and will serve only to encourage the sort of bullying tactics that have characterised the past four months at the frontier. The Gibraltar Government joins the British Government in considering that the recent increased checks are unlawful and politically motivated.
The Defenders of Gibraltar are disappointed by the recent statement by the EU Commission, which is a clear and blatant attempt to side step the serious issue of politically motivated Frontier Queues which Gibraltar has had to endure since the reopening of the Frontier. Many Gibraltarians and other nationalities that work in Gibraltar are rightly angry to read that the European Commission did not find evidence to conclude that Spanish authorities had infringed upon the relevant provisions of Union law.
This morning the first meeting of the Parliamentary Reform Select Committee was held.
Chaired by Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, the purpose of the Committee is to consider the implementation of appropriate recommendations of the Report produced by the Independent Commission on Democratic and Parliamentary Reform.