POSTED: Thursday May 7th 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Madrid 2016 - Presentation on immigration: Games without borders

Simplified steps and administration are part of the promise in welcoming the Olympic family to Spain

Games without borders -        The Spanish government has promised all Olympic participants will be able to carry out all functions in the best possible conditions -        Madrid 2016 has guaranteed to meet all requirements for the entry of foreign nationals to Spain  -        The country is completely integrated into the European Union and Schengen Agreement, as a European area for easy access and circulation    Madrid, 7 May 2009 - ‘The Spanish capital will accommodate the Olympic family without problems and is one of the areas in which the country has proven experience through its accreditation of sportspeople from all across the world, something which is borne out of the many events it has organized.’ This assurance was offered up today in the session entitled ‘Customs and Border Control’ by the Mayor alongside Marta Rodríguez Tarduchi, Director General for Immigration in the Ministry of Work and Immigration, Nicolás Bonilla, Director General for Customs in the Ministry of Economy, and Antonio Fernández Arimany, Director General of the bid. As a member country of the European Union with proscribed legislation in customs and immigration, Spain and its government have made a further promise to Olympic participants, workers and any displaced persons (including animals and materials) that the process and administration will be simplified, outlined the Mayor. Schengen AgreementUsing its status as an EU member state and adherence to the Schengen Agreement, Madrid will guarantee unhindered access and entry to all travellers, explained Marta Rodríguez Tarduchi during this morning’s presentation. The DG did not miss the opportunity either to stress how much the government was in support of Spain celebrating the Games of the 31st Olympiad in 2016, which has been stated on record by parliament on 30 November 2008 and again on 19 January this year. As an additional element, Tarduchi highlighted actual experience in sporting activities at the European level. In this way, the European Parliament agrees specific and temporary legislation on visas for all members of the Olympic family participating in the Games, with a streamlined process for application and delivery resulting in the appropriate Olympic accreditation documents. Crucible of cultures and nationalitiesTarduchi offered some data in support of the view of Spain as a ‘crucible’ for diverse nationalities and cultures. As of 31 December 2008, registered foreign nationals with work permits in Spain totalled 4,473,499.  Of these, 40.18% were European nationals, 29.87% Ibero-Americans, 20.66% Africans, 6.05% Asians, 2.75% Europeans (non-EU member states), 0.45% North Americans, and 0.04% from Oceania countries. Madrid posted the highest number of foreign nationals (796,979). Formal guaranteesThe promise of the Spanish government is enshrined in formal and material guarantees for the entry of the Olympic family into Spain. During the months before and after, and around the opening and closing ceremonies, members will only require: a valid passport, identity card or Olympic accreditation, along with the usual forms required by the EU which complement Spanish legislation in this area. Passports, identity cards and Olympic accreditation will only apply to foreign nationals who are not from EU member states, other states with an EC agreement or other neutral status countries (such as Switzerland). The government further guarantees that for at least a year before the Games these special entry requirements will apply to those wishing to enter the country for work or temporary residence purposes in line with IOC understanding and not contradictory with established precedents or agreements. Authorization will be subject to a streamlined process through simplified channels. Recent experienceTarduchi referred to recent events in Spain which had benefited from similar frameworks and streamlined processes, such as the 32nd Americas Cup in Valencia, 2007, and the Zaragoza International Expo which took place between 14 June and 14 September 2008 in the Aragon capital. In both cases, an ad-hoc state office had been created to bear responsibility for processing documentation and managing the entry system into Spain for all those involved with the preparation stages and the events themselves. Goods and equipmentThe Director General for Customs in the Ministry of Economy, Nicolás Bonilla, dealt with the matter of entry into Spain for all goods and equipment necessary for the Games and how that would be facilitated at each step. “The Spanish government guarantees to adopt appropriate legislation for the importation, usage, and exportation (free from customs control) of all goods deemed necessary by the IOC, International Paralympic Committee, International Federations, NOCs and delegations, media, sponsors and suppliers in order to comply with their needs in supporting and participating in the 2016 Olympic and Paralypmic Games,” he explained. “Our vast experience with similar activities is a great complement to this.” The organizing committee itself, through the Relations and Services Departments of NOCs, will manage and facilitate all permits. He also added how Spanish Customs will deploy all its experience, ability and resources 24-hours a day, 365 days a year in ensuring the standards are fully in line with 21st-century expectations, with both facilitation and control. Where certain types of goods such as firearms, food products and live animals are concerned, these would be subject to established Customs protocols and requirements. Medical equipment and press materialLegal requirements for bringing in medical goods and equipment, and the dissemination of press material abroad were dealt with Madrid 2016 Director General Antonio Fernández Arimany. “At Madrid 2016, we are in a position to guarantee full access for the Olympic and Paralympic families, as well as their teams, to carry out all required activities,” he said. “The COJO (or OCOG, organizing committee) would facilitate this process to ensure all documentation and necessary permits are cleared with the relevant authorities.” In Spain, conditions for importing medical products and equipment are regulated by a comprehensive legal framework with interests in both public health protection and anti-doping. “In the case of an event such as the Olympic Games and with the intention of combating doping in sport, our legislation would include control mechanisms to meet this requirement. Sportspeople, teams and foreign groups along with their representative managers would all have to register with the Spanish Anti-doping Agency before arrival,” he explained. “This would identify proscribed products, quantities, and the doctor responsible for prescription, equally the vet responsible for animals participating in sporting activities.” With regard to press materials being disseminated overseas, Arimany highlighted, “Distributing or disseminating press material (written and audiovisual) around sporting activities, include amateur events, is not regulated or restricted in any way in Spain.” The only limitation would apply in the case of criminal activity, infringement of copyright, patent or trademark agreements, slander or defamation. - ENDS –   For further information please call Malcolm Munro on + 44 7795013006 www.madrid2016.es   IMMIGRATION PROCESS AND CUSTOMS CONTROL IntroductionAlberto Ruiz-Gallardón, Mayor of Madrid PresentersMarta Rodríguez Tarduchi, Director General for Immigration, Ministry of Work and ImmigrationNicolás Bonilla, Director General for Customs, Ministry of the EconomyAntonio Fernández Arimany, Director General of the Madrid 2016 bid  

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Keywords · Madrid 2016 · Olympic Bid · IOC

Name: Malcom Munro
Organization: Madrid 2016 Olympic Bid
Email:
Phone: +44 (0) 7795 013006
URL: http://www.madrid2016.es/EN/Paginas/Home.aspx

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