Monday, November 25, 2019 - 11:01 Leo Olivero

There are two different news items contained in this report. Both centre round the land frontier with Spain. In fact a couple of reports that made news headlines last week. Bearing in mind this could be the ‘Last Frontier Christmas Before Brexit’ - the focus it seems as we enter the so-called festive season, is on frontier related news!

International agreements mean there are certain requirements that the UK and Gibraltar must meet at its Borders/Frontier. There are not many options in these requirements, like simply deciding to give EU goods or people ‘preferential treatment’ without a deal that works both ways and not at the advantage of one side at the expense of the other, that point is or should be clear!

Frontier Disruption Routine Issue For Gibraltar

The UK Government has repeatedly recognised that Customs is a cliff-edge issue. On the day of exit from the EU, like the UK, local authorities will no doubt need to perform new functions or face disruption in strategic places like the land frontier with Spain. A situation for Gibraltar because when it comes to frontier disruption, it is as a result of having a sadistic neighbour like the Spanish Central Government.

In a Brexit life, there could possible be new document checks and fiscal requirements. This should be the primary focus of our own Government’s view of customs, including a number of other key activities that regulate goods crossing the frontier. Again something that has been and probably is still under discussion.

On the important latter point regarding ‘preferential treatment’ at the frontier, I really hope the Government have really taken note of the recent news emanating from just across the border. I’m sure they have, considering the steady stream of both Spanish regional politicians and NGO workers group into No 6.