The Government says it notes, “with disappointment”, the European Parliament’s objection, today, to the entry into force of the European Commission’s decision to remove certain jurisdictions, including Gibraltar, from the EU’s list of ‘high-risk’ third-countries with strategic deficiencies as regards anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (“AML/CFT”).
The Guardia Civil’s Director General Arsenio Fernández de Mesa yesterday paid a visit to the branch in Algeciras as a gesture of support and gratitude from the central government in Madrid.
Spanish press reports note that Sr. Fernández de Mesa wanted to meet with the branch publicly during the climate of pressure. During his visit, Sr. Fernández de Mesa took the time to be briefed on developments in border controls and inspections and the situation at sea.
The Chief Minister, Hon Fabian Picardo MP, met at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London yesterday morning with the Foreign Secretary, Rt Hon William Hague MP.
In a meeting which lasted over an hour the Foreign Secretary and the Chief Minister were able to discuss all issues arising from the unacceptable Spanish action at the Gibraltar frontier, as well as reaffirming the strong bonds between the UK and Gibraltar.
Her Majesty's Government of Gibraltar is pleased to note that the EU Commission has made clear that it does not need to investigate spurious allegations by the Government of Spain relating to financial services in Gibraltar.
A spokesperson said: "The clear statement by the Commission that it will not investigate unsubstantiated allegations from Mr Rajoy in respect of financial services matters is a very welcome and clear statement by the EU Commission. It is as clear as the earlier statement from the Commission President's spokesperson that a "frontier toll", as previously proposed by Mr Margallo, would be illegal. This should be seen also in the light of the Commission's findings in 2012 that the Eastside reclamation project had been carried out lawfully by HM Government of Gibraltar in accordance with the EU Environmental Impact Assessment Directive. The statements of the EU Commission already have served to put an end (at least for a period of time) to many of Spain's spurious allegations.
William Dartmouth,the UK Independence Party MEP for the South West and Gibraltar,today demanded that Spain put an end to its propaganda campaign against Gibraltar.
Lord Dartmouth said today, "When you have a Spanish MEP claiming that there is illicit arms trade from Gibraltar and then says in the next breath that he has no evidence to back up his claim they are really scraping the bottom of the barrel.
"His remarks seem to be designed to justify the delays of several hours imposed by people coming and going through border controls.
The Guardia Civil’s Director General Arsenio Fernández de Mesa yesterday paid a visit to the branch in Algeciras as a gesture of support and gratitude from the central government in Madrid.
The Chief Minister, Hon Fabian Picardo MP, met at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London yesterday morning with the Foreign Secretary, Rt Hon William Hague MP.
Her Majesty's Government of Gibraltar is pleased to note that the EU Commission has made clear that it does not need to investigate spurious allegations by the Government of Spain relating to financial services in Gibraltar.
William Dartmouth,the UK Independence Party MEP for the South West and Gibraltar,today demanded that Spain put an end to its propaganda campaign against Gibraltar.
