Liberal Democrat MEP for Gibraltar Sir Graham Watson has this week tabled an urgent parliamentary question to the European Commission following the revelations that Spanish authorities are restricting the import of cigarettes across the frontier from Gibraltar.

The new rules mean that persons living within a radius of 15 kilometres from the border, will only be allowed to bring 80 cigarettes across the border instead of 200 cigarettes per month.

In his urgent question (E-000427/2013), Sir Graham has asked the Commission to investigate whether or not implementing such a restriction to a specific geographic area discriminates against the residents of Campo de Gibraltar.

"It seems to be one rule for the area around Gibraltar containing a sizeable British community and one rule for other autonomous areas such as Andorra where you are entitled to bring 300 cigarettes a month across the border. In my opinion such a measure rides roughshod over the rights of residents in the area and I have asked the Commission as a matter of urgency to investigate the matter,” he said.

Labels: Graham Watson

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