GSD welcomes publication of MoU’s, vows to assess impact of deal on Gib

The GSD has welcomed the publication of the four UK-Spain Memoranda of Understanding that are referred to in the Gibraltar Protocol annexed to the EU Withdrawal Agreement.

These cover issues such as tobacco, the environment, police and customs cooperation and citizen’s rights.

These now need to be read with the Gibraltar Protocol, the GSD said adding that it also welcomes the publication of the UK-Gibraltar Concordat.

GSD Leader Keith Azopardi said: “We have previously said that without publication of the details of the agreements that had been reached it was impossible for people to evaluate whether this was a good or bad deal for Gibraltar.”

“We had also said that pending a full assessment after publication of the Memoranda we had some initial misgivings about structure or the encroachment by Spain into our domestic affairs.”

Mr Azopardi added that that assessment can now be made by the GSD as well as by everyone in Gibraltar.

The Party will be holding a meeting of its Brexit Policy Group and thereafter put its recommendations to the Party Executive next week.

“After those discussions the GSD will make a further statement with its assessment of the deal agreed by Mr Picardo,” he said.

“We note that the draft tax agreement with Spain has not yet been published. It is important that this be published very soon and in any event before the Withdrawal Agreement is put before the UK Parliament on 11 December.”

“Knowing what the Government is intending to agree in relation to tax is crucial to business and the financial services industry in Gibraltar."