May 28 - Lidington Calls on Spain to Work with Gibraltar on Frontier Operations
Commenting on the Government’s insistence that European Commission take action following their 6-month deadline for both Spain and Gibraltar to implement new Customs controls based on their commendations, UK Europe Minister David Lidington has praised the Gibraltar Government.
Minister Lidington today said that he was impressed by the significant steps taken by Gibraltar to tackle tobacco smuggling. He added, ‘a commitment to cut the number of cigarettes allowed at the border by 90% will be just one of a package of tough measures taken and I am confident that we will see a significant impact on levels of smuggling as a result.
‘But smuggling does not justify the disproportionate regime of border checks taking up to three hours, or explain the delays for people seeking to enter Gibraltar.
‘We call on Spain to return checks at the border to a reasonable level and to work in partnership with Gibraltar on customs operations so there are fewer delays for Gibraltarian and Spanish citizens.’
Spain has yet to officially reveal their plans for revised border controls.
