800px-Rock_of_Gibraltar-2009

 

Sadichchha Pokharel,

Correspondent (Europe)

 

BRUSSELS — The European Union is ready to send a mission to Gibraltar to investigate the legitimacy of Spain’s rigid border controls. The decision has been made after a mutual agreement between Madrid and London.

EU’s move comes following a dispute between Spain and Britain over extra border checks on the Spanish side, which led to long traffic queues for as long as eight hours under the scorching summer heat.

Traffic at Gibraltar-Spain border

Traffic at Gibraltar-Spain border

The ongoing tension between the two countries escalated after an artificial reef was installed in the waters off Gibraltar, which, according to local authorities, was done to save the fish from being overexploited. Spain objected, stating that the installation was done in its waters without getting legal permission. The Spanish government claims that the 1713 Gibraltar agreement between Spain and Britain was only based on land and that the waters have remained under the Spanish sovereignty. Spain has also complained that the 70 concrete blocks used to construct the reef have trapped its fishing nets and caused environmental issues.

Earlier this month, Spanish fishermen sailed to the spot of installation to protest against the reef, claiming that it violated their fishing rights. Nothing serious happened during the protest, but it sparked tensions between Spain and Britain. In response, Spain implemented tougher checks at the border, claiming that it was done to control tobacco smuggling issues.

However, Britain believes it is an act of retaliation by Spain, and Prime Minister David Cameron has shown “serious concerns” over the checks being “politically motivated”. Britain has accused Spain of breaking EU’s free movement policies, and the European Commission is to send its investigators “as soon as possible” to evaluate the checks. Meanwhile, Spain has threatened to take its claim on Gibraltar to the United Nations.

800px-Gibraltar_DockyardOn Monday, August 19, British warships arrived in Gibraltar for routine military exercise. Although it was a long-scheduled call, many saw it as a provocative act by Britain. Soon after, the EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso had a phone conversation with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, where they agreed for a fact-finding mission to be immediately sent to examine the border control.

Spain may impose a €50 border tax on Gibraltar, which EU says would be illegal. It has also threatened to close its airspace to Gibraltar as well as change its online gaming laws against the territory.

The argument over Gibraltar between Spain and Britain has been running for centuries, ever since it was declared a British territory in 1713. Spain has refused to hold talks to sort out the dispute until the British government orders the reef to be removed.

 

Image Courtesy: Yair Haklai; Harry Mitchell; Giorgiomonteforti
via Wikimedia commons

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Sadichchha Pokharel

Editor (Asia: South)
Sadichchha is the South Asia section editor at The Global Panorama. She is an undergraduate student at Cardiff University School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies. Sadi is interested in global health and human rights issues in developing countries, particularly Africa and South Asia. She is into campaigning/social marketing and would like to make a career in the communications for development (C4D) sector. She enjoys reading, writing and travelling.