“It is a very unlucky state of affairs… We recognize the goodwill” – British Ambassador to Spain opens on driving licenses
Britain’s Ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott, gave an in-depth interview to Spanish newspaper El Periódico de España this week, wherein he hinted that excellent points relating to Britons’ driving licenses in Spain may very well be resolved “within the subsequent weeks”. .
“There are nonetheless issues to unravel, it is true,” he mentioned. “If it was simple, it will have been performed a very long time in the past.”
He continued: “The intention is to make sure the graceful circulation of individuals between Gibraltar and Spain, to enhance the prosperity of the area, Gibraltar and Campo de Gibraltar. This requires an progressive resolution to frame controls. Particulars are being labored out. Having the controls the place they’re, at Gibraltar airport, is complicated and the main points are essential. The UK has made it very clear, as has Spain, that positions of sovereignty can’t be modified on this settlement. And that is the place we’re shifting ahead. I’m satisfied that we are going to attain an settlement. »
Nonetheless, Elliott declined to offer a particular timeframe for such an settlement to be concluded, not even on the finish of the yr because the Gibraltar authorities itself has prompt. “I do not set dates,” he mentioned.
Driver’s license
He even managed to set out a tentative timetable on when a deal may very well be struck to permit Britons, round 30,000 of whom are affected by the problem, to briefly use their UK driving licenses once more in Spain and swap them. towards Spaniards with out having to retake their check.
“Hopefully within the subsequent few weeks we’ll resolve the remaining points,” he mentioned. “That is additionally what our ministers mentioned final Saturday. They expressed their willingness to conclude the negotiations, which took longer than we’d have favored.
“It is a very unlucky state of affairs, with 1000’s of Britons dwelling in Spain at present unable to drive. Spain is the one nation within the EU the place that is the case. That is why we would like it to be resolved as quickly as attainable. We recognize the goodwill.
“What we’re asking for is that UK residents can swap their driving license for a Spaniard with out having to take a brand new check. Spaniards or different Europeans within the UK can already try this. However right here it there is a bunch of 1000’s of Britons who cannot do it.
“Spain has requested so as to add to this settlement the trade of information in order that it will possibly have data on vacationers, British guests who come right here, to make sure street security and to have the ability to ship, for instance, fines within the occasion of an infringement. It is a complicated query due to the processing of information.
The ambassador categorically rejected the accusation that Spain is definitely utilizing the driving force’s license situation to achieve leverage within the Gibraltar negotiations: “It is a technical drawback and we now have nearly solved it. We’ll get it. This is a crucial situation for the British right here and for this embassy.
â ï¸ A star is born!
🇬🇧@HughElliottUK was animated by grabbing one in every of our truquitos throughout my go to to the Embajada Británica @ukinspain
🫖Decir “would you want a cup of tea” is nice, pero este truquito que nos da el Embajador dará ✨vidilla✨ a tu inglés en un contexto muy casual. pic.twitter.com/jX5b2gEDRf
— Maria speaks English (@mariaspeakseng) October 13, 2022
Hugh Elliott teaches English to Spanish audio system on-line
The state of the UK
Standing behind Prime Minister Liz Truss, Hugh Elliott mentioned: “The financial state of affairs is tough for everybody. There’s an acute drawback of the price of dwelling. The Prime Minister took a fast choice to cap the value of electrical energy to make the associated fee manageable for the individuals, who have been demanding fast and decisive motion.
“She took different steps for which the bottom may definitely have been ready higher; that is evident from the response of the markets. However these measures have been there to encourage the expansion that we want and to have the ability to meet the wants of the inhabitants. Sure, it has been a turbulent response, however we’re in search of progress.
He went on to reward the shut relationship between British and Spanish companies: “Buyers have nice confidence within the UK, therefore the extent of funding. British funding in Spain continues to be very sturdy. The UK is the second largest international investor in Spain and the primary vacation spot for Spanish funding. This contradicts the fervor within the media in regards to the turbulence.
“The closeness proven by the individuals of Spain was extraordinary, a mirrored image of the truth that she was a little bit of a queen to everybody. After greater than 70 years on the throne, she had gained the hearts and respect of all for her service. exemplary viewers. This was mirrored within the feedback within the condolence books. The messages have been very shifting, of deep respect, admiration and respect.
Addressing not one, however two occasions when Charles went viral on the web for his use of fountain pens, Elliott mentioned: “Hear, I take advantage of a pen. If the ink comes out on my hand, the phrases I take advantage of do not wish to be written… It appears to me that possibly the media has exaggerated. He did a incredible job going through international scrutiny after the lack of his mom. He reached out to the British individuals, he addressed the large queue of individuals on the funeral chapel and he visited burial websites throughout the UK. It was an exemplary efficiency. »
Picture: gov.uk
