Spain May Take UK To Court Over Gibraltar Constituency Plans

by Jason Gorringe, Tax-News.com, London

09 June 2003

Britain's plan to incorporate Gibraltar into one of its constituencies for elections to the European Parliament may be disrupted by an official objection to the move by the Spanish government which is lodging a formal notice of action in the European Court of Justice, according to reports last week.

Chief Minister Peter Caruana, commenting on the issue said: “I hope that this will open certain eyes in London to the realities which we have always known and they have not always accepted. Spain appears willing to subordinate even human rights to its obstinate and obsessive stance over Gibraltar." However, Caruana stated that he does not expect the Spanish action to prevent Gibraltarians taking part in the next round of European elections.

Caruana continued: "It is therefore hugely ironic, but will surprise no-one in Gibraltar, that it appears that the Spanish Government may be considering a direct legal action against the UK in the ECJ for enfranchising Gibraltar to vote at European Parliamentary Elections under the European Parliament Representation Act which has just passed through Parliament."

The issue coincides with a scheduled meeting between UK European Affairs minister Denis MacShane and his Spanish counterpart Ramon de Miguel, and it is inconceivable that the Gibraltar issue will not be raised despite the appearance of being downplayed by the UK government.

However, according to Spanish foreign minister Sra Palacio, Spain would appear confident that a settlement of the Gibraltar issue is not far off on the horizon. Speaking at the Europe Forum recently, she conceded the matter was "very complex", though it appears her government have set a target for agreement "within a year," and the Spanish aim to "work in pursuit of attaining this goal."

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