Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia has highlighted the importance of a fluid border for the array of European Union citizens who cross the border on a daily basis alongside Spanish cross-frontier workers. Dr Garcia was speaking as part of a lecture at the University of Gibraltar. He delivered an in-depth analysis of Gibraltar’s 45-year long membership of the EU and what being in the EU has meant for the Rock. Additionally, he probed what Gibraltar can expect once it leaves the European Union. Focusing on the border, Dr Garcia drew a distinction between the debate here and that in relation to Northern Ireland. “Their concern is more about the movement of goods than of people,” he said adding that Gibraltar is not in the Customs Union so the focus here is different. “They do not want what is termed a hard Brexit with controls and check-points.” “We have controls and checkpoints already.” Therefore the debate here is about the intensity of … [Read more...] about Border fluidity crucial to Gibraltar’s ‘European Union of frontier workers’, Garcia says
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AFP: Austria’s priorities as it takes European Union helm
Picture: AFP Vienna. The divisive issue of migration will be top of the agenda as Austria's rightwing government takes over the rotating presidency of the European Union on Sunday, reported AFP. "A Europe that protects" is the motto Vienna has chosen for its third period in the leadership role, which passes between different EU member states. The presidency gives Austria the opportunity to chair meetings and set agendas as the bloc grapples with the continuing migrant influx, management of its borders and other issues such as Brexit. As well as migration -- which headed Austria's list of priorities even before the EU's summit on refugees this week -- Chancellor Sebastian Kurz's government will have to oversee EU budget negotiations and make progress on the enlargement of the bloc through the Western Balkans nations. However, achieving tangible results is expected to be difficult, in part owing to the start of campaigning for European elections in May 2019, and also because … [Read more...] about AFP: Austria’s priorities as it takes European Union helm
Austria’s priorities as it takes European Union helm
The divisive issue of migration will be top of the agenda as Austria's rightwing government takes over the rotating presidency of the European Union on Sunday. "A Europe that protects" is the motto Vienna has chosen for its third period in the leadership role, which passes between different EU member states. The presidency gives Austria the opportunity to chair meetings and set agendas as the bloc grapples with the continuing migrant influx, management of its borders and other issues such as Brexit. As well as migration -- which headed Austria's list of priorities even before the EU's summit on refugees this week -- Chancellor Sebastian Kurz's government will have to oversee EU budget negotiations and make progress on the enlargement of the bloc through the Western Balkans nations. However, achieving tangible results is expected to be difficult, in part owing to the start of campaigning for European elections in May 2019, and also because of the stalling Brexit negotiations with … [Read more...] about Austria’s priorities as it takes European Union helm
Gibraltar in the European Union: In and Out
This is the text of a lecture delivered by Gibraltar’s Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Joseph Garcia, at the University of Gibraltar on June 29 by Dr Joseph Garcia, Deputy Chief Minister I will be looking at a very topical issue today. In the EU and Gibraltar’s EU Status So let us start at the beginning. Spain in the EU Spain’s accession to the club changed the dynamic of Gibraltar’s relationship with Europe. The Airport I will start with the air. The Border I said earlier that the Spanish attack has come by air, by land and by sea. British Gibraltar Territorial Waters As I mentioned earlier, Spain has used the EU to advance its sovereignty claim over Gibraltar. Gibraltar out of the EU So that covers the period that we have been in the European Union. Conclusion So, there you have it. Related … [Read more...] about Gibraltar in the European Union: In and Out
Brussels Times: Austria to take over as head of the Council of the European Union
Source: Focus Information Agency Vienna. Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and his government aim to place emphasis on immigration after Austria takes over from Bulgaria as head of the Council of the European Union on the 1st of July, Brussels Times writes. Austria is governed by a coalition made up of conservatives (ÖVP) and the extrême right (FPÖ) following elections in October 2017. In presenting his presidential programme, Sebastian Kurz announced that he wanted to “fight illegal immigration” and “protect the borders” of Europe. Austria has been advocating, among other things, the strengthening of the European border and coastguard agency, Frontex. The upcoming summit of European heads of States and Government, to be held in Salzburg in September, will in fact focus on these issues. Austria’s presidency of the Council will end on the 30th of December. It will be succeded by Romania in the first half of 2019. © 2018 … [Read more...] about Brussels Times: Austria to take over as head of the Council of the European Union