The Rock’s Government has drafted new legislation for how hauliers will operate in and around Gibraltar after Spain warned Gibraltar-licensed drivers they will need a special permit to access and move through Spanish territory at the border from March 1. Gibraltarian operators will only be allowed to conduct business in Spain if they are registered with “extranjeria” and have an employment contract in Spain.
Gibraltar hit back, with officials revealing they would too introduce a new permit system which will be issued by the Gibraltar Government’s Driver and Vehicle Licencing Department [DVLD].
The British Overseas Territory said the draft legislation was “a preventive measure”, because the Rock “has to prepare itself” in the face of “a situation that is not at all clear”.
They said: “Neither Gibraltar nor the United Kingdom have been able to clarify to what extent what is being said at the border is true or not.
“Officially there is nothing.
“Let’s hope it stays that way.”
Negotiations with the EU about the future of the Rock following the UK’s exit from the bloc are yet to be finalised.
READ MORE: Tense Gibraltar clash as Brexit tensions erupt
But since agreeing to ensure reciprocal treatment for Gibraltar-based companies pending the outcome of ongoing talks, Spain has issued new requirements from the start of March.
In response Gibraltar’s Government issued a technical note saying: “EU licensed road haulage operators will not be able to operate in the territory of Gibraltar unless they have been issued with a Gibraltar permit as from the date that the new regime enters into force.
“In order to be issued with a local permit, and to therefore be authorised to provide services in Gibraltar, EU operators will need to satisfy the DVLD that they meet the usual conditions attached to permits of this nature such as the need to be of good repute, to have appropriate financial standing and have requisite professional competence.
“However, an additional requirement will be imposed.
“This requirement will require EU operators to satisfy the DVLD that the business that they conduct in Gibraltar pursues an objective that is in the public interest of Gibraltar.
“The criteria which will be applied by the DVLD to assess whether this test is met will be published in the draft legislation which the Government of Gibraltar is already drafting.”
Fabian Picardo’s government also lamented that “the negative impact” of this decision has been compounded after Brussels “opposed” the application to Gibraltar of the Interbus Agreement that would have allowed the normal continuation of transport.
It read: “An alternative legal framework would have been provided by the European Conference of Transport Ministers and the agreement on the international carriage of passengers by coach and bus, known as the Interbus Agreement.
“The United Kingdom applied to extend this alternative legal framework to Gibraltar in the same way as has happened with other international conventions on other matters.
“However, on 18 December 2020, the EU objected to this particular extension through a Note Verbale deposited by the European Commission, on behalf of the EU, with the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union.
“Therefore the negative impact of Spain’s decision to withdraw reciprocal treatment for Gibraltar hauliers has been exacerbated by the fact that the EU has objected to the application to Gibraltar of the only other international legal framework which would have allowed for such services to continue as between Gibraltar, Spain and the EU.”
Additional reporting by Maria Ortega
Credit: Source link
