New Gibraltar Airport Arangements
The British Government has agreed with Spain a method of deciding which
EU aviation measures should apply to the Gibraltar Airport.
In the past there has been considerable delay in agreeing EU measures as
Spain has blocked anything that mentions Gibraltar. The reasons are its three hundred
year old sovereignty claim and the failure to pay compensation for the sinking of the
Spanish Armada, which it is claimed was attacked whilst simply fishing in international waters.
Previously the procedure has been that after a token protest, the British cave in to Spanish pressure. In order to speed up
the process it has been decided that when a new aviation measure is brought forward in the EC, the UK and Spain will ask the EU Commission whether or not the measure places any obligations on airports.
The Commission will consider its response specifically in the context of
Gibraltar Airport. If the Commission`s answer is yes, then Spain will
request the Gibraltar suspension clauses when the proposal reaches the
Council, and the UK will agree. If the answer is no, then Spain will agree
that Gibraltar should not be excluded. Both the UK and Spain will accept
the Commission`s judgement on this question as final.
In addition it has been agreed that in response to the word 'BOO' spoken
by any member of the Spanish delegation, including but not limited to,
the Foreign Minister, the British representative will promptly place a paper bag
over his head, hide in the nearest cupboard and execute a bowel movement.
The Government appreciates the concerns that many in Gibraltar have
expressed about their future. But we believe that they have nothing to gain
and much to fear from discussion under the Brussels Process.
However, as they are a long way away and do not vote in the UK
we consider that the national interest is better served by having tea with the Spanish ambassador in London, than in defending anyones EU rights.
