What A Surprise Eu Commision Finds Against Britain!

[ToraToraTora]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24954881

[jno]

you dont like tougher border checks? Would that by any means you wouldn't like them here either?

[ToraToraTora]

No I don't like Spain deliberately clogging up the border because they are unable to accept that proximity does not mean ownership.

[youngmafbog]

Well actions speak louder than words, we are not European, Europe does not consider us such (I know as I have spoken and worked with them especially in Bxl) so we will always be ruled against.

Bring on the referendum on Europe. Thisngs like this can only help the Get out case.

[Brenden]

Absolutely ymb, I think they refer to us as "little islanders" - they would certainly miss our contributions if we did pull out, in fact I think the EU would collapse, or is that wishful thinking.

[jake-the-peg]

This wasn't about ownership Tora

This was about creating an artificial reef and messing up local fishermen

It was retaliation for that but it sounds as if it was within the law - albeit not within the spirit of it.

[jake-the-peg]

Wishful thinking?

Total fantasy more like Brenden!

[FredPuli43]

Are you arguing against the legal principle, Tora? If so, you'll have difficulty explaining Britain's own practice in having border controls for everyone, including British and other EU citizens.

Or are you arguing against the way Spain suddenly decided to apply the legal principle? There you are on stronger ground. But on that ground the EU Commission found for Britain, not against Britain. So what is your complaint?

Britain could never hope to win on the first ground, and must have known that. The point of the exercise was to win on the second ground. And there Britain succeeded.

[Zeuhl]

/Finds Against Britain!/

That's a flimsy bit of spin T3

The Commission found that Spain weren't doing anything illegal with their border checks

Well that was obvious from the start - that's why they did it; annoying but perfectly legitimate.

The Commission have made practical suggestions for speeding up the process and will monitor spanish implementation

- it's a drawn out game in which Spain holds (and uses) some good cards as long as life in Gibraltar is dependent on movement in and out of Spain

That's just part of the deal if you are a Gibraltarian

[ToraToraTora]

OK, let's take them one at a time shall we:
Jake:It is overall bout the fact that Spain Claims Gib. The reef was juts the latest excuse. Spanish Fishermen needed to be curtailed they still do, ask the Canadians for example. The reef Was legally laid in Gib waters.
Fred: No, border checks are necessary and they should be carried out as quickly as possible not delayed just to annoy the thousands of workers who cross from Spain daily to work in Gib and in the process obstruct the whole system.
Zeuhl: Yes but if we are supposed to be one happy EU family why are they arguing about a piece of Non EU Land? None of us have "independence" anyway, we are all subject to the EU jackboot.

[FredPuli43]

Then, Tora, you must be agreeing that the EU Commission ruled in favour of the UK, on the second ground concerning Spain's obstruction. So why did you say that the Commission found 'against Britain' ?

The clue may be not in your reading of the report but in your use of the words that we are all subject to 'the EU jackboot'. That is a sincere feeling but here the jackboot has been applied in our favour, has it not ?

[ToraToraTora]

How was it in our favour? Spain disrupted the border and the EU said they were allowed to do so.

[zebo]

Love the avatar ToraToraTora, the castle and keys, are you on the Rock? Gib should close the boder altogether which would stop all the Spaniards getting to work, see how the Campo supports them when they're unemployed. Will Spain be relenquishing its territories in Morocco anytime soon?

[FredPuli43]

No it didn't say that Tora. It said that border checks were allowed. It spoke out against disruption and delay.