interview
Giles Paxman came to Malaga for a series of engagements and took time out to talk to SUR_in English
14.06.10 - 12:17 -
Giles Paxman. Getting to know people on the Costa del Sol. E.B.
Nine months after taking up his post as the British Ambassador to Spain, Giles Paxman came last week to the Costa del Sol to attend functions including a visit to Marks&Spencer in Marbella with Consul Steve Jones and UK Trade and Investment director for Andalucía Joe Cooper; the fund-raising Age Concern garden party in Fuengirola, and a party in Malaga in honour of Vice Consul Rosslyn Crotty . The whirlwind round of meetings came as nothing new to him, however, as he explained in this interview.
Is there any one issue you have dealt with over the past months which really stands out?
There is one theme which has kept me very busy, which is Spain’s presidency of the EU, which really focussed attention on this country. There has been a string of people coming over from the UK to talk about European issues - sometimes two or three ministers a week. It can be tiring, but it is a great opportunity to meet people, and to find out what makes Spain tick. It has also been busy because both Spain and the UK are going through a difficult time with the economy, and it’s very important that we should work together on the trade front, and with a view to the Europe 2020 strategy programme.
You’ve been to the Age Concern garden party - how well are the elderly cared for here in Spain?
The first thing we need to say is that the elderly can be very vulnerable and the systems in Spain and the UK are not identical, so we need to inform people about what is available and what they are entitled to. In Spain, it is essential, if needs are to be met, that everybody registers on their local “padrón” - and we have teams in place in the Consulates to help with the British side regarding pensions and other entitlements.
Can they help with the problem of homes which owners thought were entirely legal, and which might now be demolished?
The emphasis here is on the word “might”. I only know of one case where it has actually happened, but there is a lot of confusion and misunderstanding which can be aggravated by the language problem with lawyers and the Spanish authorities. We recommend two things for people who are thinking of buying a property in Spain: Do your homework and understand the implications. Remember this is a different country and it has different regulations. And secondly, money spent on independent legal advice is money well spent.
How is the new UK government tackling the Gibraltar situation?
The Foreign Secretary has already met Spain’s Foreign Minister and is pressing ahead with the tripartite process - there will be another meeting later this year.
The last questions were on a more personal note, as Britain's new Deputy Prime Minister’s wife is Spanish, and Ségolène, Giles Paxman’s wife, is French.
How much influence do you think spouses of public figures can have over international relationships?
I can’t speak for Nick Clegg, but my wife and I operate as a team. I would find it very difficult if I didn’t have her at my side - she works incredibly hard!
And do people always ask you about your brother Jeremy?
Spanish people often don’t know who he is, so no they don’t. Anyway to me he’s my brother, he’s a journalist, I’m a diplomat - we don’t talk about each other.
