UK gives Gibraltar Deadline for EU Directives
The UK has given Gibraltar
until 15 October 1999 to implement the 4th and
7th EU directives on company disclosure in Gibraltar
law. In response, the Gibraltar Government said that it was always
their intention to implement the directives and that the Bill
is currently with the House of Assembly. British
Foreign Office minister Mr Geoff Hoon travelled to Gibraltar this
week to pressure Gibraltar not to implement the Foundation Ordinance
– parallel legislation designed to compensate for damage resulting
from the directives by allowing for reduced disclosure by financial
entities. Britain has already expressed its firm opposition to
the Foundation Ordinance and is likely to block the legislation
if passed. Other issues on
Mr Hoon’s agenda for discussion are proposed changes to the constitution,
and the 'passporting' rules for EU insurance and banking enterprises. With an all-party Select Committee
ready to consider constitutional reform to decolonise Gibraltar,
the Foreign Office wants to clarify that the only changes they
are prepared for would be minor cosmetic ones. The Chief Minister
considers this to be short sighted, not to mention the Opposition.
Gibraltar's proposals include joint control of the police and
of judicial appointments as well as removing the remains of colonialism
such as unelected members in the House and the procedure for the
Governor's appointment. Generally, the proposals have created
an obstacle in London, where the Chief Minister has been given
"a clear steer" of what Britain wants, according to Mr. Hoon.
Spain would oppose any initiative contrary to the Treaty of Utrecht,
the Anglo-Spanish negotiating process, and the doctrine of the
UN. This is Mr. Hoon's first visit to Gibraltar which has been
labelled as a "a working visit. .
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