El Paísreports that Spain and Gilbraltar have negociated an agreement to exchange fiscal information that will bring an end to decades of financial opacity on the Rock. However, the Spanish government is now calling on the United Kingdom to sign the agreement. “Spain has claimed sovereignty over the Rock for 300 years,” the Madrid daily writes, “and does not recognize its capacity to negotiate on its own,” Signing an international agreement with the British colony would therefore mean an implicit recognition of sovereignty. The daily notes that the tax haven continues to receive cash flows from tax evaders and organised crime. 30% of audit-trail requests made by Spanish criminal investigators are blocked or unanswered. The Gibraltar authorities argue that these requests are sent to the British authorities instead of directly to them.
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