Barroso warns Spain against 'illegal' Gibraltar border tax
19 August, 17:48
Barroso also said Spanish authorities must "respect European Union law" in its dispute with the United Kingdom over the ex-British colony and current protectorate.
The EC president also informed Rajoy of details on the mission of technical observers expected at Spanish controls at the La Verja border crossing with Gibraltar in mid-September.
The EC received consent from the Spanish government for the mission, which is intended to make observations and find solutions.
Barroso also telephoned British Premier David Cameron last Friday in an effort to temper the row between Spain and the UK, which escalated last week after Spanish authorities failed to lift recently introduced border controls.
Britain mulled legal action against Spain over the extra border checks in Gibraltar, which have caused long tailbacks, a spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron said on last Monday.
Action via European Union courts would be "unprecedented", the spokesman added.
Spain has said it may take the case, and other longstanding issues including a dispute over waters, to the United Nations.
Madrid said its checks are essential to stop smuggling and it could not relax border controls.
Madrid also said the UK has no right to protest since it is not a signatory to the Schengen Agreement creating a border-free Europe in 1995.
"Our controls are legal and mandatory under Schengen," a spokesman for Spain's foreign office explained.
The latest row came after Gibraltar created an artificial reef which Spain says will hurt fishing.
"The Commission expects the two member states to engage in dialogue as two members of the European Union," EC spokesman Olivier Bailly was quoted as saying in the Spanish press.
The EC also "maintains that it is up to (Spain and the UK) to find a solution for overcoming obstacles," Bailly added.
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