David Lidington to visit Gibraltar!
It is no coincidence that Mr Lidington is to visit Gibraltar at the same time as the EU Commission! I am sure there will be many private and confidential meetings between both about the Frontier Queues and the effects on both sides of the border!
So let us introduce to you who this man is and why it is very important that he is coming to visit.
Gibraltar and us the people welcome with open arms his visit to our country! We hope he will see the truth and speak and do actions as words alone mean nothing as we already know!
Our biggest challenge is convincing this gentleman that words alone mean nothing! We h ope to emphasise that he and the UK Government as a whole, the Foreign Commonwealth Office and our Governor have done little to help us and protect the sovereignty of our British Territorial waters!
We will not only address the issues at the Frontier but rather the many incursions by the Spanish para military, the hate campaign by Spain and the lack of action via diplomacy!
We will reiterate that we demand and deserve the same protection as they do with the Falklands and how they protect the seas around UK! We want no more and no less than that!
For over two years I have been requesting a meeting with Mr LIdington and finally my request has been granted. It will be an honour and a privilege to finally meet the man behind the FCO!
It is very important that this gentleman continues to visit Gibraltar so that he knows the real truth as experienced by the people! The people who live and breathe these issues and whom have no political involvement!
Who is David Lidington?
He is a British Politician
His full name is David
Roy Lidington PC is a British Conservative Party politician, who has
been Member of Parliament for Aylesbury since 1992. He is currently a
Minister of State at the Foreign Office, serving as Minister for Europe.
Q&A David Lidington - UK's minister for Europe
Since May 2010, he has been Minister for
Europe at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. This responsibility
includes the overseas territories of Gibraltar and Akrotiri and
Dhekelia. He is currently involved in resolving a range of issues
related to Gibraltar, including the current fishing dispute, recent
incidents in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters and the potential
impact on Gibraltar of changes to online gambling taxation.
December 14th, 2012
The Report Company: How important is Gibraltar to the UK and why?
David Lidington: Gibraltar has been British for over 300 years. The Gibraltarian people have made it clear that they wish to remain British. This fact is at the heart of the UK’s commitment to Gibraltar. It is reflected in the strong ties between Gibraltar and the UK, such as the business links between the City of London and Gibraltar’s financial services centre, and Gibraltar’s continuing valued contribution to our Armed Forces and security interests. Gibraltar is one of the UK’s Permanent Joint Operating Bases and can be used for forward mounting of operations in the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Gulf. Members of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment are currently serving in Afghanistan.
TRC: In your view, is Gibraltar’s separate yet linked to the UK status within the EU a problematic issue?
DL: No, I don’t see this as problematic. Gibraltar’s status within the EU reflects Gibraltar’s constitutional relationship with the UK, which has been determined by the UK and Gibraltar. Gibraltar’s current constitution dates from 2006. Following negotiations between the UK and Gibraltar, it was approved in a referendum in Gibraltar by over 60% of those who voted. As a British Overseas Territory, Gibraltar has its own government and is a separate jurisdiction, not part of the UK. Gibraltar is therefore within the EU as a European territory for whose external relations the UK is responsible.
TRC: Given that the prime minister is keen on renegotiating parts of the UK’s agreement with the EU, do you think the EU catch-all legislation disadvantages small jurisdictions like Gibraltar?
DL: I don’t believe that it is valid to conclude that Gibraltar is disadvantaged in its relationship with the EU because of its size. Under the terms of the UK’s membership of the EU, Gibraltar has a unique status within the EU. Significant parts of EU law do not apply to Gibraltar. These include the free movement of goods, the Common Customs Tariff, the common commercial policy, the Common Agricultural Policy, the Common Fisheries Policy and all EU rules relating to value added taxes and turnover taxes. The application to Gibraltar of EU law in other areas confers benefits on Gibraltar, as well as obligations. For example, Gibraltar’s inclusion in the single market in services enables its financial services sector, which accounts for around 22% of gross domestic product, to access a market of more than half a billion people. Ultimately, it is for the government and people of Gibraltar to judge whether the benefits of Gibraltar’s status within the EU outweigh the negative aspects of any obligations involved. The UK Government works closely with HM Government of Gibraltar on all relevant aspects of Gibraltar’s participation in the EU and will continue to do so.
TRC: There are disputes with Spain over the operation of the frontier and breaches of British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. How do you see relationships developing?
DL: I believe that the UK and Gibraltar have an equal interest in productive relationships with Spain. For the UK, Spain is an important ally in the EU, NATO and the Council of Europe. Gibraltar has strong economic ties with Spain, with significant cross-border trade and exchange. It is estimated that up to 800,000 British nationals live in Spain all or part of the year. Local organisations estimate that some 5000 Spanish citizens go to work every day in Gibraltar. Mutual cooperation has the potential to benefit us all. We should therefore look to the future and work to develop the relationships between the UK, Spain and Gibraltar. However, the UK Government is clear that we will not concede on sovereignty or compromise on our responsibilities for Gibraltar. We will continue to oppose any challenge to our sovereignty over British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. We will also take whatever action is appropriate to support the free movement of people between Gibraltar and Spain.
TRC: What is the British government doing to assist Gibraltar and is there more that can still be done to improve the situation?
DL: The most important thing that the UK Government can do – and which we are doing - is to work closely with HM Government of Gibraltar to tackle any issues that could undermine confidence in Gibraltar. As a responsible sovereign, our diplomatic support for Gibraltar is focussed on efforts to resolve our differences with Spain and ensure that tensions do not cause damage to Gibraltar. This includes defending Gibraltar’s rights and interests in the EU and other international fora on tax and other issues that could affect Gibraltar’s economy.
David Lidington: Gibraltar has been British for over 300 years. The Gibraltarian people have made it clear that they wish to remain British. This fact is at the heart of the UK’s commitment to Gibraltar. It is reflected in the strong ties between Gibraltar and the UK, such as the business links between the City of London and Gibraltar’s financial services centre, and Gibraltar’s continuing valued contribution to our Armed Forces and security interests. Gibraltar is one of the UK’s Permanent Joint Operating Bases and can be used for forward mounting of operations in the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Gulf. Members of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment are currently serving in Afghanistan.
TRC: In your view, is Gibraltar’s separate yet linked to the UK status within the EU a problematic issue?
DL: No, I don’t see this as problematic. Gibraltar’s status within the EU reflects Gibraltar’s constitutional relationship with the UK, which has been determined by the UK and Gibraltar. Gibraltar’s current constitution dates from 2006. Following negotiations between the UK and Gibraltar, it was approved in a referendum in Gibraltar by over 60% of those who voted. As a British Overseas Territory, Gibraltar has its own government and is a separate jurisdiction, not part of the UK. Gibraltar is therefore within the EU as a European territory for whose external relations the UK is responsible.
TRC: Given that the prime minister is keen on renegotiating parts of the UK’s agreement with the EU, do you think the EU catch-all legislation disadvantages small jurisdictions like Gibraltar?
DL: I don’t believe that it is valid to conclude that Gibraltar is disadvantaged in its relationship with the EU because of its size. Under the terms of the UK’s membership of the EU, Gibraltar has a unique status within the EU. Significant parts of EU law do not apply to Gibraltar. These include the free movement of goods, the Common Customs Tariff, the common commercial policy, the Common Agricultural Policy, the Common Fisheries Policy and all EU rules relating to value added taxes and turnover taxes. The application to Gibraltar of EU law in other areas confers benefits on Gibraltar, as well as obligations. For example, Gibraltar’s inclusion in the single market in services enables its financial services sector, which accounts for around 22% of gross domestic product, to access a market of more than half a billion people. Ultimately, it is for the government and people of Gibraltar to judge whether the benefits of Gibraltar’s status within the EU outweigh the negative aspects of any obligations involved. The UK Government works closely with HM Government of Gibraltar on all relevant aspects of Gibraltar’s participation in the EU and will continue to do so.
TRC: There are disputes with Spain over the operation of the frontier and breaches of British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. How do you see relationships developing?
DL: I believe that the UK and Gibraltar have an equal interest in productive relationships with Spain. For the UK, Spain is an important ally in the EU, NATO and the Council of Europe. Gibraltar has strong economic ties with Spain, with significant cross-border trade and exchange. It is estimated that up to 800,000 British nationals live in Spain all or part of the year. Local organisations estimate that some 5000 Spanish citizens go to work every day in Gibraltar. Mutual cooperation has the potential to benefit us all. We should therefore look to the future and work to develop the relationships between the UK, Spain and Gibraltar. However, the UK Government is clear that we will not concede on sovereignty or compromise on our responsibilities for Gibraltar. We will continue to oppose any challenge to our sovereignty over British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. We will also take whatever action is appropriate to support the free movement of people between Gibraltar and Spain.
TRC: What is the British government doing to assist Gibraltar and is there more that can still be done to improve the situation?
DL: The most important thing that the UK Government can do – and which we are doing - is to work closely with HM Government of Gibraltar to tackle any issues that could undermine confidence in Gibraltar. As a responsible sovereign, our diplomatic support for Gibraltar is focussed on efforts to resolve our differences with Spain and ensure that tensions do not cause damage to Gibraltar. This includes defending Gibraltar’s rights and interests in the EU and other international fora on tax and other issues that could affect Gibraltar’s economy.
*************************************************
Courtesy Gibraltar Chronicle on this gentleman.
Lidington insists on diplomacy to counter ‘unlawful’ Spain
by Brian Reyes
A senior Foreign Office minister yesterday raised the past spectre of a closed border and warned that Britain must be careful how it responds to ‘unlawful’ Spanish pressure on Gibraltar, suggesting that Madrid could be capable of even tougher measures.
Europe Minister David Lidington said the British Government remained firmly committed to standing by Gibraltar and protecting the wishes and rights of its people.
But he said that upping the ante in the dispute with Spain could have serious negative consequences for the Rock.
The solution to Spanish incursions and border delays lay in diplomacy, although Britain would consider other options including legal action if necessary, he added.
“What is happening in respect of both incursions and border checks is wrong and illegal and unacceptable, but it is not by any means as bad as what some previous administrations in Spain have done in the past in respect of Gibraltar,” Mr Lidington said.
“There are things that Spain has rightly refrained from doing.”
“It doesn’t justify anything they’ve done at the moment, but I do think they calibrate what they do.”
Mr Lidington was speaking during an evidence session of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons, during which he faced tough questions on the British Government’s response to Spanish actions targeting the Rock.
Members of the committee said Spain was piling pressure on Gibraltar and breaking EU laws in doing so.
Britain’s response, meanwhile, was “far too diplomatic”, said Tory MP Andrew Rosindell summing up the mood in the committee.
The minister countered that Britain had repeatedly stated
that its relationship with Spain could be at the expense of Gibraltar’s security and prosperity.
But he also highlighted that UK national interests had to be factored into the equations and that escalation would benefit no one.
“It is important that we seek to avoid a situation in which Gibraltar ends up being worse off than it is at the moment,” Mr Lidington countered.
“We went through a period, looking right back to the late 70s and early 80s, when the border was closed entirely. That would be worse for Gibraltar than the situation that we have at the moment.”
“The fact of geography means that it is relatively easy for Spain, if she were to be that maliciously intended, to squeeze Gibraltar more tightly.”
“We have to continue with the diplomatic approach and we have to continue to highlight internationally the fact that our sovereignty over Gibraltar does not stem from some outmoded conception of colonialism, but from the repeated democratically expressed wishes of the people of Gibraltar themselves.”
Time and again throughout the session, Mr Lidington insisted that diplomacy was the only answer. He rejected the suggestion that Britain’s response was not having any effect on Spain, citing the steps taken to end Spanish attention on bunkering as an example.
“An all-out Spanish blockade of Gibraltar, [or] a determined assault on key economic interests like the bunkering industry clearly would take us into a more dangerous situation that would merit a different sort of British response,” Mr Lidington said.
“But frankly it is not in Gibraltar’s interests or the United Kingdom’s interests or Spain’s interests to get into that situation.”
‘REGRET’
The session came just a few weeks after the committee’s members travelled to Gibraltar to see and hear at first-hand of the problems faced by people here.
Their questions were very focused and often highly specific, reflecting many of the concerns raised by Chief Minister Fabian Picardo during his evidence in Gibraltar.
Labour MP Mike Gapes said the attitude of Spain’s “old fashioned right wing government” was seriously damaging regional cooperation.
Mr Lidington acknowledged that the Popular Party government of Mariano Rajoy had been elected with a public pledge to be “more nationalist” in its approach to Gibraltar.
“I regret that,” the British minister said. “There’s no doubt that that is causing significant hardship to individuals and to the prosperity of the Campo more generally.”
“And I think that, given Spain’s appallingly high levels of youth unemployment in particular, it is a great pity that the Spanish Government has not yet found it possible to see Gibraltar’s prosperity as a huge asset…in a relatively impoverished area of Spain.”
“The more successful businesses are in Gibraltar, the more that there can be free traffic across the border, the more that La Linea and other towns in the Campo will benefit.”
Mr Lidington said the European Commission would play a key role in resolving the border delays.
He said Spain was breaching EU treaties with its border checks and that it was the Commission’s responsibility to take action.
The Commission is due to review progress in implementation of its recommendations next month and could revisit the border to check.
“I’d very much like the Commission to visit again,” Mr Lidington said.
Mr Lidington was asked about ad hoc talks and said that discussions to try and agree a suitable formula were ongoing.
But he said that while Britain and Gibraltar wanted dialogue – be it on a trilateral or ad hoc basis – the looming prospect of general election in Spain meant this might prove elusive.
“The approach of an election tends to mean that political parties are less willing to take risks,” he said.
Questioned by the MPs, he left no doubt that the dispute over Gibraltar was straining bilateral relations between the UK and Spain, and between Gibraltar and its neighbour to the north.
“It is a cause for deep regret that the bilateral relationship between our two countries is not in the place where I would like it to be because of the actions that Spain takes in respect of Gibraltar,” he said.
“I’m not naïve enough to think that any Spanish government in the near future is likely to drop its claim to sovereignty.”
“But I would wish that they could, while continuing to assert that historical claim, recognise the real asset that a prosperous Gibraltar is to a relatively poor area of Spain and look for better relations, try and win some trust and friendship from the people of Gibraltar who are becoming more hostile to Spain because of the actions [the Spanish] government is taking.”
COLOSSAL INCOMPETENCE’
The session also assessed the relationship between the Gibraltar Government and the British Government, which Mr Lidington said was good.
“We may not agree on every last detail…but we have a very good day-to-day working relationship with the Chief Minister and with his cabinet,” Mr Lidington said.
The minister was questioned on the amount of resources that the Foreign Office and other British Government departments allocated to Gibraltar.
Questioned on tax and transparency, he said the Chief Minister had taken “a courageous lead” in the run-up to last year’s G8 summit where Britain pushed these issues higher up the global agenda.
Conservative MP Rory Stewart asked the minister how it was possible that the British Government had not detected and objected to Spain’s designation of an EU nature site in British Gibraltar territorial waters.
This, Mr Stewart said, had been “a colossal act of incompetence”.
Mr Lidington deflected the questions and said he could not answer for the ministers who were in government at the time.
But he added that the current administration was taking firm steps to ensure that any effort by Spain to exercise jurisdiction in the waters was firmly challenged.
Mr Stewart questioned whether the UK was not, in fact, acting illegally by preventing Spain from meeting its obligations in a nature site designated under EU law.
Mr Lidington dismissed the suggestion and said that EU designation did not alter the international British status of the waters under the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea, and that only Britain had jurisdiction in those waters.
Designation of an EU site “doesn’t alter that fact”, he said.
Asked how other European nations viewed the dispute, the minister said EU countries – and indeed the EU courts too – were reluctant to intervene in what they saw as a bilateral matter.
Mr Lidington also revealed that the British Government had issued a standing order to its diplomatic representations around the globe, but in particular in Brussels and the United Nations, to ensure officials were “very aware” of any Gibraltar angle in the matters they were dealing with.
He said the aim was the “mainstreaming of an awareness of the Gibraltar angle” in the work done by the Foreign Office and other departments at the EU and the UN.
The session concluded with a clear signal from the Foreign Affairs Committee that it supported Gibraltar in the ongoing spat with Spain.
Committee chairman Sir Richard Ottaway cited Foreign Secretary William Hague, who recently also gave evidence to the MPs and said Britain would not stand by in the face of continued hostility and would stand “shoulder to shoulder” with the people of Gibraltar.
“We endorse that statement and we will continue to monitor whether or not the Foreign Office is living up to that statement,” he told Mr Lidington.
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Merco Press
More on David Lidington - http://en.mercopress.com/tags/david-lidington
http://en.mercopress.com/2014/06/28/uk-europe-minister-expected-in-gibraltar-to-witness-first-hand-delays-at-border-crossing-to-spain
UK Europe minister expected in Gibraltar to witness first hand delays at border crossing to Spain
The Minister for Europe, David Lidington, will visit
Gibraltar on Monday 30 June and Tuesday 1 July. The visit will enable
the Minister to visit the Gibraltar-Spain border to witness first-hand
the continuing delays at the crossing, to hold discussions with HM
Government of Gibraltar, and to meet a wide range of the people of
Gibraltar.
The Minister for Europe’s visit comes in advance of a return by the European Commission to review progress on improving congestion at the border. The Commission’s return visit follows concerted lobbying by the UK Government.
The Minister for Europe said he was delighted to have the opportunity to visit Gibraltar again. “I look forward to observing some of the initiatives being undertaken by the Government of Gibraltar and to meeting a wide range of people on the rock, who together contribute to a vibrant and prosperous Gibraltar”.
The Minister for Europe will meet the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister reflecting a strong relationship which has seen the UK Government and HM Government of Gibraltar working in lockstep to tackle Spanish pressure over the past year.
The Minister will also take a tour on the waters with the Gibraltar Squadron to allow him to see the work of the Royal Navy upholding British sovereignty of Gibraltar’s waters.
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Courtesy Panorama - http://www.panorama.gi/localnews/headlines.php?action=view_article&article=12030&offset=0
Lidington and Hague have kept their distance from Gibraltar!
by Leo Olivero
I think it’s extraordinary, that since the 2011 local elections, or more importantly, since the latest crisis with Spain, no member of the British Government with a responsibility for Foreign Affairs has bothered to visit Gibraltar to evaluate and see the situation for themselves or even as a demonstration of physical support.
Last week in the UK Parliament David Lidington was put in a rather awkward position, when he placed under pressure by Chris Evans Labour MP to ‘give a guarantee that Lidington will visit Gibraltar soon’ Our Europe Minister at Westminster replied, “ I am hoping to visit Gibraltar again in the near future, I remain in regular contact with the Chief Minister and the Gibraltar Government. We make protests to Spain in respect of every illegal incursion into British Gibraltar waters and, now that the deadline has passed, we are pressing the European Commission to take action to ensure that Spain respects her European responsibilities to allow the decent movement of people across the border, subject only to proportionate and fully justified checks”.
Apart from the usual bull we continuously hear from the FCO regarding protests to Spain and of the UK making what we are told are forceful representations to Spain and the EU Commission. Mr Lidington said that ‘he hoped to visit Gibraltar again’. This giving the erroneous impression, that he makes regular visits to the Rock, when the opposite is more akin to the truth.
Keeping Their Distance From Gibraltar
The reality of the matter is that from the onset of the problems with the Spanish Government, or since Madrid embarked on it’s latest political siege of Gibraltar, Hague, Lidington and others have kept their distance from Gibraltar…Literally!
In fact, the last time David Lidington was on the Rock was during the GSD Government’s term in office, in fact between the 12 and 13 April 2011 not that long after he was appointed Minister of State at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
The idea of David Lidington giving British MPs the impression that he is coming to ‘Gibraltar Again’ is a totally misleading one. Particularly, when his last visit was well-over three years ago. Taking into account the serious situation with the Spanish Government over the past two years, that even produced a visit by a team of EU Commission experts to look into the frontier problems.
David Lidington in this respect has let Gibraltar down!
Admittedly, there’s no denying that the Prime Minister, David Cameron, Foreign Secretary, William Hague and David Lidington himself have at times been robust in their dealings with Spain over the frontier queues. And also spoken out strongly in defence of Gibraltar’s right to self-determination and strong on any talks on sovereignty must be three flags and not two and that Gibraltar has the right of veto in such matters. There can be few complaints there. However, this has simple not been enough where presence of body is concerned.
The fact remains that neither William Hague, David Lidington, or even
Baroness Warsi the Conservative spokesperson on Europe in the House of Lords have thought it important enough to come to Gibraltar, to see for themselves on the ground, just what is happening here in-situ.
The situation is all the more astonishing, given the amount of times these politicians with responsibility for Foreign Affairs frequently spend speaking about Gibraltar and Spain, the frontier queues, incursions into BGTW or when issuing statements.
The nearest Gibraltar has got in recent times, to the big-chief himself David Cameron, was last year on National Day when we were treated to a recorded address from the Prime Minister. There’s no denying it was a good and welcomed supportive gesture from Mr Cameron, which roused the crowds at Casemates for a good 30 minutes after. Then it was back to normal, as we have seen since from the people in Madrid.
FCO Good at Talking the Talk
We have said many times, the FCO and associated Ministers are good at talking the talk but its about time they did the walk too and met the frontier crowds of pedestrians standing out in all weathers conditions waiting for hours to cross one of the most smallest European Frontier points.
How can Lidington or anyone else for that matter talk with any real authority on any of the key issues relating to Gibraltar when all they have to rely on are telephone (conference) calls with the Chief Minister, briefing papers and possible, a weekly report from the Governor?
So when people like William Hague, David Lidington and the Baroness talk about the Gibraltar frontier queues, or Spain’s lack of compliancy with the EU demanding improvements at the frontier, or how well Gibraltar is combating the tobacco smuggling, do they really know what the real situation is?
The answer to that of course is they don’t. Because until they have sat in a car queuing to get in or out of Gibraltar; until they have seen for themselves the disproportionate lengths of the queues; until they have spoken to the waiting pedestrians from Gibraltar, Spain, the UK, and the many other EU States and elsewhere frustratingly standing for hours. And until they have spoken to those people on this side of the frontier who are tasked to perform the important, front line duties in controlling the situation at the frontier and out at sea. Only than, will they know and be able to talk about it with some authority!
Lidington Thought Last Snapshot of Gibraltar Was Important
The last time David Lidington was in Gibraltar in April 2011 he held a late press conference where he said, “I have much enjoyed the last twenty-four hours. Obviously it only gave me a snapshot of Gibraltar, but it was a rich and detailed snapshot which gives a better insight than any reports or vivid journalism could do”
That 2011 snapshot of Gibraltar the Europe Minister talked about taken over a 24-hour period has lasted 3 years in Lidington’s mind. Considering everything that has happened since April 2011, you would have thought, that someone at the FCO would have thought it prudent or important enough to take an updated snapshot of the situation here in Gibraltar. After all, Lidington himself thought it vital the last time, more important than the reports he is sent or reads. But not important enough it seems to make another snapshot call!
Only a few weeks ago the Chief Minister was in London and he met up with Mr Lidington who made a statement saying “It is now six months since the European Commission sent recommendations aimed at easing the delays at the border between Gibraltar and Spain. Despite that, politically motivated and disproportionate checks continue” He continued saying the Government of Gibraltar had taken significant steps, in a very short period, to address the Commission’s recommendations, by increasing powers of authorities to tackle smugglers, upgrades to the border infrastructure to make smuggling more difficult and reducing the number of cigarettes that an individual can buy and raising duty on tobacco.
Lidington added “I am deeply concerned by the delay by the authorities in Spain in responding to the Commission’s recommendations. We will continue to protect the interests of Gibraltar, its people, its security and economy.”
It’s about time Mr. Lidington deep concerns were manifested in a more physical manner - and instead of talking about all the significant steps Gibraltar has taken to address the EU Commissions recommendations and the smuggling problem at the frontier. The Europe Minister should have taken the short flight to Gibraltar to see for himself - instead of committing himself to a visit to the Rock only because he was pressed by a parliamentary question from the UK Opposition!
24-06-14 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
by Leo Olivero
I think it’s extraordinary, that since the 2011 local elections, or more importantly, since the latest crisis with Spain, no member of the British Government with a responsibility for Foreign Affairs has bothered to visit Gibraltar to evaluate and see the situation for themselves or even as a demonstration of physical support.
Last week in the UK Parliament David Lidington was put in a rather awkward position, when he placed under pressure by Chris Evans Labour MP to ‘give a guarantee that Lidington will visit Gibraltar soon’ Our Europe Minister at Westminster replied, “ I am hoping to visit Gibraltar again in the near future, I remain in regular contact with the Chief Minister and the Gibraltar Government. We make protests to Spain in respect of every illegal incursion into British Gibraltar waters and, now that the deadline has passed, we are pressing the European Commission to take action to ensure that Spain respects her European responsibilities to allow the decent movement of people across the border, subject only to proportionate and fully justified checks”.
Apart from the usual bull we continuously hear from the FCO regarding protests to Spain and of the UK making what we are told are forceful representations to Spain and the EU Commission. Mr Lidington said that ‘he hoped to visit Gibraltar again’. This giving the erroneous impression, that he makes regular visits to the Rock, when the opposite is more akin to the truth.
Keeping Their Distance From Gibraltar
The reality of the matter is that from the onset of the problems with the Spanish Government, or since Madrid embarked on it’s latest political siege of Gibraltar, Hague, Lidington and others have kept their distance from Gibraltar…Literally!
In fact, the last time David Lidington was on the Rock was during the GSD Government’s term in office, in fact between the 12 and 13 April 2011 not that long after he was appointed Minister of State at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
The idea of David Lidington giving British MPs the impression that he is coming to ‘Gibraltar Again’ is a totally misleading one. Particularly, when his last visit was well-over three years ago. Taking into account the serious situation with the Spanish Government over the past two years, that even produced a visit by a team of EU Commission experts to look into the frontier problems.
David Lidington in this respect has let Gibraltar down!
Admittedly, there’s no denying that the Prime Minister, David Cameron, Foreign Secretary, William Hague and David Lidington himself have at times been robust in their dealings with Spain over the frontier queues. And also spoken out strongly in defence of Gibraltar’s right to self-determination and strong on any talks on sovereignty must be three flags and not two and that Gibraltar has the right of veto in such matters. There can be few complaints there. However, this has simple not been enough where presence of body is concerned.
The fact remains that neither William Hague, David Lidington, or even
Baroness Warsi the Conservative spokesperson on Europe in the House of Lords have thought it important enough to come to Gibraltar, to see for themselves on the ground, just what is happening here in-situ.
The situation is all the more astonishing, given the amount of times these politicians with responsibility for Foreign Affairs frequently spend speaking about Gibraltar and Spain, the frontier queues, incursions into BGTW or when issuing statements.
The nearest Gibraltar has got in recent times, to the big-chief himself David Cameron, was last year on National Day when we were treated to a recorded address from the Prime Minister. There’s no denying it was a good and welcomed supportive gesture from Mr Cameron, which roused the crowds at Casemates for a good 30 minutes after. Then it was back to normal, as we have seen since from the people in Madrid.
FCO Good at Talking the Talk
We have said many times, the FCO and associated Ministers are good at talking the talk but its about time they did the walk too and met the frontier crowds of pedestrians standing out in all weathers conditions waiting for hours to cross one of the most smallest European Frontier points.
How can Lidington or anyone else for that matter talk with any real authority on any of the key issues relating to Gibraltar when all they have to rely on are telephone (conference) calls with the Chief Minister, briefing papers and possible, a weekly report from the Governor?
So when people like William Hague, David Lidington and the Baroness talk about the Gibraltar frontier queues, or Spain’s lack of compliancy with the EU demanding improvements at the frontier, or how well Gibraltar is combating the tobacco smuggling, do they really know what the real situation is?
The answer to that of course is they don’t. Because until they have sat in a car queuing to get in or out of Gibraltar; until they have seen for themselves the disproportionate lengths of the queues; until they have spoken to the waiting pedestrians from Gibraltar, Spain, the UK, and the many other EU States and elsewhere frustratingly standing for hours. And until they have spoken to those people on this side of the frontier who are tasked to perform the important, front line duties in controlling the situation at the frontier and out at sea. Only than, will they know and be able to talk about it with some authority!
Lidington Thought Last Snapshot of Gibraltar Was Important
The last time David Lidington was in Gibraltar in April 2011 he held a late press conference where he said, “I have much enjoyed the last twenty-four hours. Obviously it only gave me a snapshot of Gibraltar, but it was a rich and detailed snapshot which gives a better insight than any reports or vivid journalism could do”
That 2011 snapshot of Gibraltar the Europe Minister talked about taken over a 24-hour period has lasted 3 years in Lidington’s mind. Considering everything that has happened since April 2011, you would have thought, that someone at the FCO would have thought it prudent or important enough to take an updated snapshot of the situation here in Gibraltar. After all, Lidington himself thought it vital the last time, more important than the reports he is sent or reads. But not important enough it seems to make another snapshot call!
Only a few weeks ago the Chief Minister was in London and he met up with Mr Lidington who made a statement saying “It is now six months since the European Commission sent recommendations aimed at easing the delays at the border between Gibraltar and Spain. Despite that, politically motivated and disproportionate checks continue” He continued saying the Government of Gibraltar had taken significant steps, in a very short period, to address the Commission’s recommendations, by increasing powers of authorities to tackle smugglers, upgrades to the border infrastructure to make smuggling more difficult and reducing the number of cigarettes that an individual can buy and raising duty on tobacco.
Lidington added “I am deeply concerned by the delay by the authorities in Spain in responding to the Commission’s recommendations. We will continue to protect the interests of Gibraltar, its people, its security and economy.”
It’s about time Mr. Lidington deep concerns were manifested in a more physical manner - and instead of talking about all the significant steps Gibraltar has taken to address the EU Commissions recommendations and the smuggling problem at the frontier. The Europe Minister should have taken the short flight to Gibraltar to see for himself - instead of committing himself to a visit to the Rock only because he was pressed by a parliamentary question from the UK Opposition!
24-06-14 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
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Courtesy Your Gibraltar TV - http://www.yourgibraltartv.com/politics/6936-jun-27-government-welcomes-lidington-visit
Jun 27 - Government Welcomes Lidington Visit
The
Government has said that it welcomes the visit of the Minister for
Europe on Budget Day next week.The Government says that the visit on
that day will provide an ideal opportunity for the Government to brief
Mr Lidington on Gibraltar’s “outstanding economic performance.”
The Minister will also be able to see at
first hand the situation in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters and at
the frontier so that he can better understand the problems that all of
Gibraltar is experiencing with the current Spanish administration.
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Also from Your Gibraltar TV
Apr 07 - Lidington Responds to Foreign Affairs Committee Gibraltar Concerns
In
a meeting giving oral evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee in the
UK’s House of Commons last week, Europe Minister David Lidington, told
the committee that he ‘would not object to Gibraltar being more closely
integrated in some elements of the EU acquis, if that was what Gibraltar
wanted.’
The meeting, chaired by the Committee,
brought up their recent visit to Gibraltar that saw them hold a question
and answer session with Chief Minister Fabian Picardo. Following the
session, the Committee also met with Foreign Secretary William Hague to
discuss a number of issues that arose.
During the session with Minister
Lidington he noted that his intention would be to visit Gibraltar this
year, as it is ‘time for [him] to go again’, however he needs to find
the right balance between the different potential visits to the other 50
countries and territories he is responsible for.
Responding to a question on the Chief
Minister’s claim that the Gibraltar Governor’s office lacks resources,
Minister Lidington insisted that he disagreed with Mr. Picardo as the
current strength of the Convent is two UK, based staff and 11 locally
engaged staff, with regular visits from FCO staff in London and one
senior official who maintains regular telephone and e-mail contact with
the Chief Minister. He added, ‘the Chief Minister knows that he can
approach officials and Ministers at any time if he has particular
concerns.’
The meeting acted as an in-depth
response to concerns raised by Chief Minister Fabian Picardo during the
Committee’s session Gibraltar. Questions from the panel included the why
there is a feeling in Gibraltar that the Foreign Office views the
Overseas Territories as somewhat of a nuisance? Minister Lidington’s
response noted that suspicion form the Gibraltarian’s still lingers
following former efforts to move towards shared sovereignty of the
Overseas territory, with Spain.
The Minister added, ‘I do not think that
the present Government, from the Prime Minister down, could easily have
been more forthright than we have been. It has been made clear again
and again, including by the Prime Minister in his video message to the
people of Gibraltar on Gibraltar day last year, that Gibraltar remains
British by the free choice of the people of Gibraltar. We will not
engage in negotiations with Spain about sovereignty unless at some stage
that were to be the wish of Gibraltar, and we are not going to talk
about sovereignty on Gibraltar behind Gibraltar’s back in any way. We
have been absolutely clear on that.’
Commenting on the Chief Minister’s
statement that Gibraltar may want to become more integrated with Europe
than Britain, Minister Lidington insisted that this could lead to
Gibraltar becoming part of the Schengen agreement, which would involve a
negotiation ‘at minimum’ as well as possible changes to the European
treaties.
With regards to Spain’s Estrech
Oriental, a site of Community Importance that impedes into BGTW,
Minister Lidington said that the former Government challenged the
Spanish listing. Currently the UK has asked the European Commission to
‘infract Spain under article 258 of the TFEU, for its failure to consult
us on its designation of Estrecho Oriental as an SCI.
‘The Commission regard this as a
bilateral sovereignty dispute and it does not want to get involved,
therefore what we are doing in practical terms is to resist very
strongly any evidence that Spain is acting in a way that seeks to give
effect to its claims to have some sort of management responsibilities
over the Gibraltar waters element of Estrecho Oriental.
‘We have taken action, for example, when
the Spanish Government last summer put a bunkering company on notice
that it was acting against Spanish royal decree. That is also why we
have reacted strongly on the two occasions, including this week, when
Spain has sent a survey vessel into Gibraltar waters and started trying
to carry out surveying work.’
NATO Concerns
Responding to a question on when the
Government has ‘sought to exert pressure through NATO’ to end Spain’s
non-compliance with fellow NATO warships, belonging to the Royal Navy,
the Minister insisted that it is ‘not good practice; it is not the
behaviour you would expect from an ally in the transatlantic alliance.’
He continued, ‘but we do not think that
raising this at NATO is going to be the appropriate way forward.
Precisely because this has been a long-standing, very regrettable
practice by Spain, this is not getting in the way of sensible,
practical, NATO operational planning. The Royal Navy and the Royal Air
Force have built the STANAG reservation into their planning arrangements
for many years.
‘I am advised by the MOD that this has
minimal if any impact upon operations, so for example during the Libya
operations in 2011, UK units called at Gibraltar for ammunition and
other supplies. Other NATO allies—including Canada, the US and Norway
last year—regularly use Gibraltar for operational reasons. Individual UK
units that are assigned to NATO, such as the mine warfare vessels that
are part of the standing NATO mine counter-measure group in the Med,
call into Gibraltar from time to time, and of course there are a large
number of individual ship visits by Royal Navy vessels to Gibraltar. I
think this is a practice by Spain that we regard as an irritant. It is
bad practice, bur it is not getting in the way of proper operational
planning or activity.’
Read more: Apr 07 - Lidington Responds to Foreign Affairs Committee Gibraltar Concerns
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So the question is will Mr LIdington make Gibraltar proud and see and then tell the truth as it is?
Or will he continue to sacrifice the Gibraltarian people for Diplomacy and in thinking only of the millions of ex pats that have left UK to live in Spain?
We all believe in dialogue but there does come a time that we have to stand up to the bully that Spain is!
Let us reiterate we have nothing against Spain and its people but rather our problem is with their Spanish Government who continue to promote a hate campaign worldwide against us for one reason only - WE DO NOT WANT TO BE SPANISH!
Our interest in Mr Lidington is not about EU but rather about UK, FCO and how they will continue in their treatment and obligation to us as a people!
We are British Gibraltarians!
Anne-Marie STruggles
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