Oct 17 - Cross Frontier Group Sets Record Straight Following Brussels Visit
The Cross Frontier Group (CFG) which is made up of Trade Union and Business organisations on either sides of the Frontier, has disassociated itself from comments allegedly attributed to the group by certain media outlets.
The CFG has issued the following clarificatory statement:
“The city of La Linea has played host to a meeting of the Cross Frontier Group (CFG), comprising of trade unions and business organisations from both sides of the border, in which among other things it has analysed the outcome of their recent visit to Brussels, in which they met with MEPs, representatives of the Commission and EU technicians over a period of two days.
“The CFG considered the outcome to be very positive with regards to covering the objectives that they had set out; objectives which included lobbying to safeguard the free movement of persons across the land border between Gibraltar and Spain, as well as a desire to maintain the economic status quo of Gibraltar in order to create and share the wealth that currently contributes 25% of the gross domestic product of the Campo de Gibraltar.
“Furthermore the CFG representatives have focused and delved into the mechanisms of the creation of a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC), initially between Gibraltar and La Linea de la Concepción, but aiming to extend it to the rest of the Campo de Gibraltar, despite the consequences of Brexit.
“The CFG has considered the visit a success with regards to the aspects and objectives shared by the social and business entities from both sides of the border. Both experts from the Commission, as well as MEPs considered the composition of the CFG to be a great strength which is coupled with a grander message: whatever the future holds, the border between Gibraltar / Spain would remain a European border with Europeans and other nationals on either side and provisions would have to be put in place to ensure that they were not held hostage to political whims. The CFG also received confirmation that it is entirely possible to form an EGTC between an EU and non-EU country, as is the case of projects between Hungary and Ukraine, and which would be eligible for EU funding.
“The CFG considers it necessary to continue their efforts for the realisation of the EGTC as a tool for attracting European aid and funds and frameworks for cooperation between the two communities.
“On other matters, the members of the Group boarded the expectations created by the meeting of the heads of the Governments of Spain and Britain scheduled for Thursday 13th October, in which they trust they keep the interests and well being of the citizens in mind in their discussions.”
“Any other comments attributed to the CFG are totally false and a pure fabrication. The CFG feels extremely disappointed with the distortion attributed to the group.
“The CFG wish to reiterate that they are an apolitical organisation whose aims are to foster the spirit of understanding between communities on either side of the frontier whilst respecting red lines when it comes to issues of sovereignty. Promoting social initiatives to the advantage of citizens of both Gibraltar and the Campo de Gibraltar, as well as the creation and sharing of wealth through the development of a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) are priorities in the CFG’s work. To this effect, Political Institutions on either side of the frontier have fully supported the CFG’s aims and objectives, particularly the establishment of EGTC mechanisms that will benefit both communities.
“The Group’s position in the face of a Brexit scenario is that Gibraltar’s status quo must be maintained which equates to continuing Gibraltar’s and the Campo de Gibraltar’s current economic models as well as the free movement of all people across the frontier.”
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