EMEA News
EU: Gibraltar Bunkering Does Not Breach Environmental Rules
European environmental authorities say Gibraltar's actions, including bunkering activities, have not breached European Union (EU) law, dismissing complaints made by Spain, Gibraltar Broadcasting Corp.(GBC) reports.
"The EU Commission's Directorate-General on Environment has ruled that, following complaints received from Spain, it is unable to identify any breach of EU environmental legislation in respect of bunkering activities, the Eastside or Sovereign Bay project and, in particular, the Artificial Reef System in North-West BGTW," the Gibraltar government said in a statement.
"The Government also wishes to recognise the work that the relevant Gibraltar agencies, competent authorities and ministries do in order to ensure that when our actions are put under the microscope we are found to have acted properly at both a substantive and technical level."
In September, Spanish officials threatened to sue Britain over bunkering and other activities in Gibraltar waters if the EU did not issue sanctions over the issue.
The ongoing dispute over Gibraltar recently led the UK Foreign Office to summon the Spanish ambassador to address "provocative" activities by a Spanish naval vessel.
