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The Voice of Gibraltar Group welcomes the Queen's Speech in which she states : “My government will ensure the security, good governance and development of the Overseas Territories, including by protecting the Falkland Islanders’ and Gibraltarians’ right to determine their political futures.” This is UK Government policy contrary to the lies in the Spanish media. We also welcome the routine visit of HMS Talent to the Z berth, which shows that ‘Spanish sensitivities’ can be ignored when its convenient for the UK Government. However there is increased pressure on the Gibraltar Finance centre by way of the usual Spanish claims that Gibraltar is a tax haven and ‘uncooperative jurisdiction’. This is from a country rated by Transparency International in the middle of Europe’s table of most corrupt countries, below even Greece and Italy. We hope that our Government is in close consultation with local service providers and listens to their views. Although Mr Picardo may enjoy visiting the United States and being pictured with Mr Obama, the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act is American legislation and it is for the Gibraltar Parliament to make laws that apply here not a foreign government with interests that may not be ours to dictate to us. Similarly when the UK Government as part of the action group of five nations looking at finance centre the EU we hope they also look after Gibraltar interests and are more awake to future problems than when the MAFF allowed the Spanish to claim a slice of British Gibraltar Territorial waters as a ‘nature reserve’ a profound mistake which has caused continued grief and misunderstandings in the area. In particular we would not like to hear in the future that Spain has slipped in something to the detriment of Gibraltar, which the UK has not had the vision to anticipate. We also call on the Government of Gibraltar to closely monitor things so that ‘wider UK interests’ do not mean that we are disadvantaged or excluded in the same shameful way we were in relation to airport agreements and other EU measures.. Paul Tunbridge Julio Pons Spokesmen for the VOGG 'Little Englanders' Dear Sir, Gibes about 'Little Englanders' and lofty rhetoric about a 'Europe of the Regions' will not convince many people in the UK to vote to stay in the EU. The issue will be decided on pocket book matters - how much is the EU increasing the average family's food bill (the CAP) , the amount and cost of regulation, the threat to the Thatcher negotiated annual rebate, our annual membership of the EU and how this could be better spent on public services. Some people will vote on issues of Sovereignty and the EU's Direction of travel. Business will want to be assured that they can still trade with the EU though Lord Lawson has said that business has become too comfortable in the EU and they need to be looking at Asia for opportunities. The parties in Gibraltar needing to be working out a Business plan for Gibraltar in and out of the EU. They should certainly approach the UK Government for financial assistance if they think that warranted. However, do not insult us with gibes about Little Englanders. I do not believe the vast majority of folks in Gibraltar would endorse that sort of language. Allan Robertson London Scaremongering Dear Sir, Whilst there are still people with a lot of malicious intentions and comments in well known social media forums, with regards oxygen therapy. A lot of harm is being done to people that are attending these sessions which is proving to be an effective way to ease peoples sufferings and improving their quality of life. I will end with a quote by Professor Phil James. "We can be three days without eating food, we can be three hours without drinking water, but we cannot be more than three minutes without breathing oxygen". Your sincerely, DJDesoiza Cousin Dear Sir, The last thing I want to be is a spoilsport but Mr Rose letter in 8th May edition requires some extra info. His invitations to the PM and Foreign Secretary to visit us are laudable but allow me to state the obvious, as long as our affairs are controlled by the FCO instead of Parliament, we stand no chance of a visit, allow me to explain fully, some years back at a reception in London attended by HM, a very prominent Gibraltarian asked the Queen, ‘when will your Majesty re-visit Gibraltar, the answer, I do not want to upset my cousin King Juan Carlos’. Yours faithfully, W.L.Chamberland. Spanish minister’s mistake Dear Sir The recent comments by Mr Cristobal Montoro, Spain’s ‘Ministro de Hacienda’, that Spain intends to sign an agreement with European Union governments to clamp down on tax havens is not, by itself, a bad thing. Tax havens, by definition, have no place in today’s world. Mr Montoro’s mistake is to link his government’s apparent concerns to Gibraltar, a move that is as misguided and unnecessary as the reports that his Tax Ministry has set up a working group to study financial movements in or involving Gibraltar. Misguided because the days when Gibraltar might have been correctly regarded as a tax haven are long gone – the Rock has for many years now worked hard to distance itself from a ‘brass plaque’ jurisdiction and is a reputable, serious financial centre, one that complies with all applicable legislation. Everyone without a political axe to grind recognises that factual reality. Unnecessary because there are other, more direct means of addressing those apparent concerns. The Gibraltar Government has repeated both now and in the past its willingness to allow those with a genuine interest (including Spain) to come here and inspect us. Why waste time and resources standing outside a cinema for a month, asking departing movie-goers what the film was like when you’ve been invited to watch the film yourself? Gibraltar is neither a tax haven nor an uncooperative territory. That inescapable fact is evidenced by the close to thirty Tax Information Exchange Agreements that have been negotiated and signed with OECD and EU member states – not, incidentally, just the eighteen that the official OECD website has decided to list. From the United States to India, from Mexico to France, Germany, Austria and beyond, Gibraltar continues to systematically engage with important countries in order to bring to fruition more TIEAs. So far, regrettably, no luck with Spain. Yet our neighbour cannot have it both ways. Spain cannot on the one hand be critical of the alleged opaqueness of our financial centre activities or describe us as uncooperative, while at the same time refusing to sign a Tax Information Exchange Agreement (which would either confirm that alleged opaqueness or allay any concerns, should they really exist) simply because the colour blue is missing from the flag behind the Minister signing on the dotted line. On a related note, it is not just Spain who would do well to become conversant with the professional, well regulated activities of our finance centre institutions. While it may be true that the recent statement by the European Court of Justice simply repeated the text of Spanish legislation when referring to “tax havens and uncooperative territories such as Gibraltar”, those reading the statement could mistakenly interpret it as affording some legitimacy to a Spanish legislative instrument that is factually wrong in its premise. As such, the importance of educating European institutions and players should not be underestimated. It was once suggested that the Gibraltar “problem” would be dissolved (as opposed to resolved) within the context of a federal European Union. The romantic – for some – notion of a strengthened, more unified EU where the lines of nationality and sovereignty blur and citizens regard themselves first and foremost as European would, it was argued, provide the foundations for a resolution of the Gibraltar issue. Clearly we are far away from that utopian vision and few can still really view it as a future possibility. What remains a certainty is that we need EU institutions on our side or at the very least we need them to be well informed of Gibraltar’s reality. In an age of instant mass communication, it is as easy to properly inform a global audience as it is to misinform and negatively influence or colour the opinion of decision-makers, including ECJ judges. Face to face interaction can make all the difference. The recent efforts to more prominently and regularly take our truth to the EU and lobby those in a position to assist us are welcome and can only be applauded. It makes sense for such approaches to be ongoing and habitual, even if only to counter-balance mischievous moves by others who may campaign against us behind the scenes. Lobbying efforts, sadly, are not the monopoly of the righteous. Congratulations are well deserved by those at both political and administrative level, not least the lawyers and staff at the Government’s European Union and International Department, who have ensured the Rock’s full, up-to-date transposition of Directives and other pertinent legislation. This is instrumental in ensuring we maintain both the moral and legal high ground, in proudly holding our head up high and in telling the international community that Gibraltar is a serious, safe, professional, sound, properly regulated jurisdiction. Mr Montoro and other similarly misguided PP colleagues would do well to take note. Yours sincerely Fabian Vinet Minister for Europe in 'cuckoo' land Dear Sir, Allow me to comment on an extract from the letter received by the VOGG from none other than the UK Minister for Europe, who appears to be living in ‘cuckoo’ land. For me the offending words are quote ‘ A further escalation of tensions could put Gibraltar’s prosperity at risk and damage wider UK interests’. I honestly feel that the last four words are the only truth of the matter, where has this Minister been or worse still his EU sidekicks, Spain has since being allowed to join the then EEC done their utmost to discredit Gibraltar in every sphere possible from Financial Institutions and still at it, Bunkering, Tourism, Sporting ventures and last but not least membership of the ILO, even in the days of a Socialist Government in Spain makes a mockery of the Minister’s words, ‘put Gibraltar’s prosperity at risk’. I assume he will now wish to pass comments on the latest gimmick, possibly being planned by Spanish extremists of the ruling PP, if Gibraltar has up to now not been invaded is simply because when it comes to a show of force our neighbours lack a very important missing element from the ‘golfing paraphernalia. Yours faithfully, W.L.Chamberland. Settling on the Rock Dear Sir Today, Bandmaster Craig Philbin terminates his attachment to The Royal Gibraltar Regiment and leaves the Army. Luckily, he is not leaving Gibraltar, as he will be settling down with his family on the Rock. As one, who for the past 53 years has been and still is a keen supporter of all Military Bands and loves Military Marches I congratulate my very good friend Craig, for the fantastic work he has done with the Regimental Band of our Regiment. I have seen many Bands come and go here in Gibraltar and I can proudly say that The Band of The Royal Gibraltar Regiment is Tops and has nothing to envy any other Regimental Band in the British Army, our Musicians are not only first class and smart but they also enjoy playing their instruments and are a pride to our Rock. Once again Craig, many thanks for all your invaluable help it will not be forgotten. Yours faithfully Solomon (Momy) Levy Reasons to visit Rock Dear Editor, Just over one week ago, I sent emails to the "Cameroon luvvies" at No. 10, asking either Cameron or Hague to "find a reason" to visit Gibraltar. After all, it will not be long until the summer hols and the Recess are upon them, and I am sure David Cameron must be looking for an alternative destination to Spain for his break, even if Gibraltar is physically attached to the Spanish mainland. In case the luvvies are geographically-challenged, I did remind them where to look on the map! To Boris Johnson's office next, and a similar invitation, perhaps to partake of cream tea with his counterpart, the Gibraltar Mayor, and to tour around Gibraltar on a Gibi-Bike. I am sure I shall elicit a response from both camps but I shall not be amused to receive rejection emails or letters, filled with the usual meaningless poppycock! Seriously, these Leaders NEED to visit Gibraltar to experience first hand the "atrocities" which take place, via the Spanish authorities, and to speak to citizens directly affected. Surely, the Gibraltar Government has already issued invitations to the Prime Minister, to enable a formal visit to take place? I am certain I am being naive and cheeky in sending such emails but, if you don't ask....! Yours faithfully, Mike Rose No level playing field in European Union: The people of Gibraltar must fight! Dear Sir, Thank you all Dear Editor, |
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