European Commission inspectors take notes at the Gibraltar frontier

Both the governments of Spain and Gibraltar are hoping that the delegation of EC inspectors who visited the frontier on Wednesday will come down on their side.

Spain claims that Gibraltar does not tackle tobacco smuggling while the Rock complains of the long queues due to the Spanish authorities’ stricter controls at the border.

The six experts in frontier controls from the EU’s Interior, Customs and Justice services met with authorities both in Spain and Gibraltar to examine the situation.

“It’s a day to see, hear, take note and listen to the arguments of all sides,” said the EC spokesman in Spain Miguel Puente.

The 11-hour visit went ahead with “total collaboration”, he added.

The information gathered by the experts will be used by Brussels to carry out a “rigorous and independent” investigation into the ongoing conflict and then offer recommendations, explained the spokesman.

There is no legal time limit for this investigation to be completed.

Now both sides appear confident that the inspectors will agree with their complaints.

Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo welcomed the delegation during their visit to his side of the frontier and, according to a government statement, set out the background of the situation in an introductory address. Then other government officials offered different perspectives of the problems which led to the official complaint made to the Commission by Gibraltar at the end of July.