16 April
The purpose of the trip was twofold; to attend the opening of an art exhibition by George Kowzan who was the adjudicator for this year's Young Art Exhibition, and to meet the president of APLAMA, Malaga's equivalent of the local Fine Arts Association.
The meeting with the president of APLAMA proved very informative and fruitful. Ideas were exchanged and the possible future collaboration between the local association and APLAMA was discussed.
The party took full advantage of the trip by visiting several art museums, namely the Picasso Museum, The Carmen Thyssen Museum, the CAC Malaga, and the recently opened Pompidou Centre.
At the Thyssen they were pleased and proud to be able to view a painting by Gibraltarian Gustavo Bacarisas.
16-04-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Deputy Chief Minister meets EU 'Frontier' Commissioner
April 16, 2015
The Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia yesterday afternoon met with EU Migration and Border Management Commissioner Dimitris Avramopolous and discussed the latest developments at the land frontier between Gibraltar and Spain.
Commissioner Avramopolous replaced Commissioner Malmstrom last year.He often answers questions about Gibraltar on behalf of the European Commission.
Dr Garcia presented the Commissioner with a report containing the latest statistical information on the incoming and outgoing delays at the border. He also expressed the concern of the Government at the way in which the works on the Spanish side are adversely affecting the flow of traffic. Indeed, the queue data for March 2015 was worse than for January and February.
The Government have already been informed in previous meetings by the Commission that Gibraltar has done everything that had been requested in terms of complying with the recommendations that had been made. The onus is now clearly on Spain to do the same, said statement.
16-04-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Ex Spanish economics minister Rato linked to Gibraltar company by Spanish press
April 16, 2015
The Spanish Press are linking Rodrigo Rato to a Gibraltar registered company. Rato is the former PP Spanish economics minister, former Spanish Vice President, former Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund and former President of rescued Spanish bank Bankia, who is now facing charges in Madrid over the Bankia scandal.
Rato is at present the centre of much media interest in Spain, with allegations that he took advantage of the PP 'financial amnesty' which pardoned thousands of people who had money abroad. It is alleged by the Vozpopuli news site that Rato forms part of a group of 700 who are being investigated with a view to establishing if irregularities have been involved or not.
Additionally, Spanish reports add that Rato also had incorporated in November 2013 a company with 'connections in fiscal paradises', and name a company called Lilac Trading Limited which was incorporated in the UK using a Gibraltar service company. Rato is said to have 2,250 shares, out of 3,000. Another cmpany in the British Virgin Islands is also mentioned.
It does not mean that any Gibraltar company has done anything which is illegal.
Rato has a high profile in Spain and has often been described as an economics genius who made Spain a major financial success.
Given his links with the ruling PP party, the allegations now widespread in Spain, has provoked a storm in political and financial circles in Madrid.
With every day that goes by, new allegations are surfacing - and quite a number of 'top people' are said to be involved, though not linked to Gibraltar.
The financial allegations now rife in Madrid are adding fuel to the political controversies that rage, given the upcoming elections. Political pundits say that the outcome of next month's autonomy/municipal elections will mirror what will happen when the Spanish general election takes place later this year.
With political concern about new political parties like Podemos and Ciudadanos eating away the traditional support of the long-established parties, the situation in Spain today is becoming red hot.
Rodrigo Rato, a former government official with the Popular Party (PP) who also served as head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), applied for a 2012 tax amnesty that authorities now believe may have been used by some beneficiaries for money laundering purposes, government sources have told EL PAÍS.
"This is a personal matter and I don't think I have any obligation to make a statement," said Rato, who neither denied nor confirmed the revelations.
Rato is already the target of another investigation into his role as chairman of failed savings bank Caja Madrid
According to the online publication Vozpopuli, Rato was one of the 31,000 or so individuals who applied for a tax amnesty offered by the PP administration of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in 2012 in a bid to shed light on an estimated €25 billion hidden away in offshore accounts, the paper said yesterday.
News that Rodrigo Rato is one of the people who applied for the 2012 tax amnesty triggered immediate political reaction - and this is only the beginning.
06-04-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Exclusion of Gibraltar Airport would be illegal, Garcia tells MEPs
April 16, 2015
The Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia has told Members of the European Parliament that the exclusion of Gibraltar from EU civil aviation legislation would be illegal and contrary to the Treaties.
Dr Garcia is in Brussels on a lobbying visit in order to increase awareness among key MEPs about Gibraltar issues.
MEMBERSHIP
He has explained that under Gibraltar's terms of membership of the EU, the areas which do not apply to Gibraltar are expressly defined in Articles 28-30 of the UK Act of Accession. This list does not include civil aviation therefore there can be no excuse for excluding Gibraltar Airport.
Dr Garcia has discussed these issues on the first day of his visit with Conservative MEP Ashley Fox and UKIP MEP William Dartmouth. He was also able to exchange views with EPP Coordinator on the Transport Committee Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP.
FRONTIER
The Deputy Chief Minister also briefed the ECA Coordinator on the Justice and Home Affairs Committee Timothy Kirkhope MEP on the latest situation at the land frontier between Gibraltar and Spain including the data for incoming and outgoing traffic.
"Dr Garcia also held a very positive and friendly meeting with the United Kingdom Deputy Ambassador to the European Union Shan Morgan and other officials at the British Embassy," said statement.
16-04-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Our EU future is a highly hypothetical scenario but a potentially precarious one
April 16, 2015
The aftermath of the 3 elections in the UK, Spain and Gibraltar could have some life-changing consequences. Not only politically for the 110 million Spanish and UK nationals. But also from a national perspective, for the 30,000 inhabitants of the Rock who make up the trio of nations going to the polls this year? Countless of millions of people who in my opinion, face an uncertain future in one way or another, even after the last spec of election dust settles, when the search for real answers will begin!
Tories Manifesto Pledge on EU Referendum in 2017
The Conservative party in their Manifesto are the only party, who appears to be explicit regarding the UK and European Union. They have promised UK voters
'Real change in the UK's relationship with the European Union' and have informed voters they are commitment in delivering it. Adding that for too long, the voice of the UK people has been ignored on Europe.
The Tory manifesto makes a pledged to give the UK electorate a say over whether Britain should stay in or leave the EU, with an in-out referendum by the end of 2017'. They also commit to keep the pound and stay out of the Eurozone reform the workings of the EU. The latter, is something Mr Cameron's party believes is too big, too bossy and too bureaucratic, and is why they will reclaim power from Brussels and safeguard British interests in the Single Market and back businesses to create jobs in Britain by completing ambitious trade deals and reducing red tape.
Conservative: the Only UK Manifesto to Give Gibraltar an Important Mention!
The Conservative 2015 election manifesto is the only one from any of the main parties to mention to Gibraltar, where it pledges to 'uphold the democratic rights of the people of Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands to remain British, for as long as that is their wish, and protect our Overseas Territories'
Where does Labour stand? Frankly, I did not expect anything from the Labour party manifesto reference Gibraltar, simple because the UK socialist party have not proven to be as trustworthy or as committed to the Gibraltar cause.
Ed Milibands recent false allegation regarding Gibraltar is testament to that!
Government Already Thinking and Working on Rocks EU Future
The Gibraltar Government also appears to be working on a EU strategy for Gibraltar. The Chief Minister has recently said he will push for a "different degree of membership" this if a referendum on a British exit from the European Union is held after the UK general election.
This week Fabian Picardo also told the UK press that each of the areas that vote in a future EU referendum should be counted separately, such as Gibraltar, with negotiations allowing for different parts of the UK to remain with varying degrees of membership.
Mr. Picardo, added that "the only threat to Gibraltar's economy would come as a result of being pulled out of the European Union against our will and denied access to the single-market". Although Picardo went on to say he did not believe even the most "rabid anti-Europeans in the UK" would support a "complete out" and those "good friends of Gibraltar" as he put it, who support a UK exit need to understand the economics of this from a Gibraltar perspective!
However, I believe it will be as difficult for Gibraltar to be treated any differently by the UK when it comes to the varying degrees of EU membership Mr. Picardo spoke of, as it will be for Brussels, to agree to the new EU status David Cameron has promised UK voters in the Conservative manifesto!
Most Agree the Rock Should Remain in the EU
Most people in Gibraltar believes the Rock should remain as a part of the European Union and that if the UK decided to drop out of the EU the situation for Gibraltar would be far worse than it is today. I also agree with the Chief Minister that potentially, it would create a political and constitutional issue for the UK-EU-Gibraltar relationship!
Will we actually vote in any future UK referendum, is still very much in the air?
Even though the UK Government has agreed the people of Gibraltar will take part in any such public ballot, politically, nothing has been finalised to make that happen! Yet you seriously wonder, that if the Labour party were to win the UK election, anything is possible in this respect?
At the Moment it is Hypothetical Situation?
As the title of this weeks 'Looking Glass' clearly suggest, it is all a hypothetical situation at the moment. And so is the fact that in 2017 when the proposed UK referendum is due Fabian Picardo or Daniel Feetham could be at 6 Convent Place holding the reigns of political power. What is important however, is that well before that date the Gibraltar Government receives an official assurance from the UK Government whoever that might be after May 7 that Gibraltarians will be able to vote in an in or out EU referendum.
From a Conservative Party perspective, David Cameron has made it clear he is pro-Europe and will campaign for a yes vote. And already has made good on his promise in the Conservative 2015 manifesto seeking from the UK public a mandate for a future Conservative Government to negotiate a new settlement with its European partners during the next UK Parliament.
However, the uncertainty about a UK referendum result is a real and serious problem! Not only for the UK, but also to a large extent for Gibraltar, precisely because of the uncertainty it might create in the business/finance sector, mainly between the periods after the election and if the Conservatives win the elections, to 2017 when the UK's EU future status will potentially be decided?
Former Tory Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Heseltine, in an interview with the Financial Times and Times, stressed this very point. Saying: "To commit to a referendum about a negotiation that hasn't begun, on a timescale you cannot predict, on an outcome that's unknown, where Britain's appeal as an inward investment market would be the centre of the debate seems to me like an unnecessary gamble. Why put your factory (in Britain) when you don't know - and they can't tell you - the terms upon which you will trade with us in future?"
Government Placed Great Emphasis on Rock's Voice Being Heard in Brussels
As I have reported a number of times regarding this point, unlike the previous administration, this Government has placed special emphasises in ensuring that Gibraltar's voce is heard in Brussels. This has been possible because of mechanisms that have been created and put in place that allow the Government of Gibraltar to arrive in Brussels, the heart of European Politics, and not only spread Gibraltar's message, but importantly be heard, even demand the Rock and its people are treated the same as everyone else in EU…This is not being pro one local party or another, it's an historical political fact!
It is of vital importance Gibraltar puts its own individual message across. Particularly, at a time when a much bigger neighbour is threatening us, sadly one, belonging to the same EU club and not playing by normal club rules. But in my opinion, Gibraltar needs to talk about its own EU future. If we don't, others will do it for us and probably, not in a way that suits or is healthy for our future.
The EU and Brussels could be our road to lasting stability and prosperity. It's easy to forget this, because in Gibraltar, we often have other distractions, pettiness in fact, that are of less importance for our future survival. There's no doubt we would do well to focus on what is truly essential to survive the tough and unpredictable world of today!
Europe's future is our future and, therefore, what happens in the UK and Brussels must be of great interest for all of us. In fact we ignore it at our own peril!
Gibraltar Must Actively Be Connected to the EU Mainframe!
I admit, that in the past I've been quite a EU sceptic, and I probably still am, but in a different way now I suppose? I still believe the EU or the Commission has not and still is not doing nearly enough to protect Gibraltar from an aggressive neighbour and so called fellow EU partner. However, having gone to Brussels quite a few times in the last 18 months to mostly cover the different Gibraltar Government visits for Panorama, also I have been there various other occasions in my previous life as a senior police officer. I have no doubt Gibraltar has to be actively and physically connected to the EU mainframe!
However, as things stand it will obviously make a massive difference what type of Europe emerges within the next 5 years or so, may be before? Particularly, with EU debt crisis still lingering strong in many important euro nations. Although importantly for us here on the Rock, it will eventually boil down to how UK citizens see their own future in the European Union, this if the proposed EU Referendum takes place!
In the medium to long term I suspect Gibraltar's future rests on it being attractive to international business and foreign direct investment that in turn, means Gibraltar having a stable, low tax model and a pro-business minimum, red tape free-market environment. Many people raised their eyebrows, when EU leaders were and still are, considering a European financial transaction tax or a single European fiscal policy one Europe, one federal tax policy…What it is it with the EU obsession regarding the tax issues, when other more harmful fiscal elements constantly and blatantly pass under the EU radar?
Some in Local Politics Need to Leave Their Bubble and Get Priorities Right?
Frankly, Gibraltar needs to get its priorities right and soon. There are some, who reside in their own political bubble, who instead of ranting on about how judges are being legitimately criticised in a parliamentary debate, or constantly harp on about new banks, old banks, and savings banks and the likes! Should in fact be thinking with a far broader and wider political perspective? But is that possible With Some?
Certain politicians should stop their constant monitoring of the 'party political point-scoring meter' and should instead be tackling and make constructive political contributions regarding the many national issues of real importance now facing Gibraltar, and also of trying to further divide the nation!
What Lies Beyond the European Union for Gibraltar Also Needs Research?
Putting the issues with the Spanish Government to one side. Shouldn't we all for instance, again from a EU perspective and as a country, also be focusing and channelling our creative energies in identifying what kind of a Europe best suits our national interest?
And should one of these focus points, not also consider looking beyond the EU in the event everything regarding our EU future was to go pear-shape. And possible, focus further afield like in Asia, who in 2015 continues to be the driving force in world economic growth, which is also projected to grow much further beyond this year!
16-04-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Rotary awards
April 16, 2015
The Rotary Club of Gibraltar held its annual Award Presentations on Tuesday evening. The Rotarians offer these annual awards in recognition of people in our community worthy of special attention. The three awards presented on the evening covered the categories of, 'a young person', 'a civil or public servant', and 'an Elder'.
Hosting this year's event, Jane Hart, President, went on to introduce the first award of the night, the Joe Gaggero Honoured Elder Award. This award is presented to an elder member of our community who continues to offer help and support to others within the community, mainly through voluntary work, and we hope by doing so, they keep themselves young.
The person who this year received the Joe Gaggero Honoured Elder Award is Mr. John Murphy.
The Youth Award was given to Francesca Makey. This award is given to young people under the age of 18 that have shown great courage, dedication to a cause, or have worked selflessly for others in their community. The Civil Servant Award was presented to Daniel Guerrero, of the Ministry for Sports, Culture, Heritage & Youth.
This award is aimed at those who in their workplace especially if dealing with the public go above and beyond what is required from them. This award is not aimed at the managers and others in positions of authority but is for ordinary employees who show extraordinary dedication to their tasks especially when helping the general public.
Jane Hart, President said "For this reason we are pleased to present Daniel with the Rotary Club of Gibraltar Civil Servant of the Year Award."
Each recipient was presented with a plaque and a cheque for £100 in recognition of their contribution to the community
16-04-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
