Spain must allow 'smooth and efficient' border crossings with Gibraltar

(The Telegraph)  Spain must allow "smooth and efficient border crossings" with Gibraltar, the European Commission has warned, as it stepped into the row between Madrid and Britain.

 It has told the government in Madrid that Spain must "address and discuss" with the European Union its angry dispute over fishing rights and sovereignty of the rocky outcrop, ceded to Britain under the 300-year-old Treaty of Utrecht.

It has also pledged to send officials to the border between Spain and Gibraltar, to investigate the "serious complaints" it says it has received.

Britain is seeking an explanation from Spain after its foreign minister suggested a fee of €50 (£43) could be imposed on travellers crossing the border with Gibraltar. On Monday Downing Street said that David Cameron, the Prime Minister, was "seriously concerned" by the Spanish threat, and by disruption to people crossing the border caused by laborious checks.

The Commission – the executive arm of the EU – said it had first contacted Spanish authorities to raise concerns at the beginning of this year.

At the time, it was told in reply the checks being carried out did not breach EU law because they were "proportionate, delays are only occasional, in no way checks represent an obstacle to the free movement".

However, according to a statement today, "in recent weeks new and even more serious complaints have reached the Commission. The Commission is now urging both Spain and Gibraltar to allow for smooth and efficient border crossings while taking into account these obligations."

It also announced on Tuesday that it plans to send a team of EU officials to the Spanish-Gibraltar border to carry out "on-the-spot verification" of searches and other delays at the scene.
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