The Fence, which for decades symbolized the separation between La Línea de la Concepción and Gibraltar, was officially dismantled this morning in an institutional ceremony organized by the Government of Spain. The city's mayor, Juan Franco, attended the event alongside the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, and a broad representation of authorities and social groups.
This event consolidates the full opening process initiated at midnight last night, when the citizens of La Línea crossed the passage after the cessation of border controls. At the end of the ceremonies, Mayor Juan Franco expressed his satisfaction with an event he described as "historic," personally thanking Prime Minister Sánchez and Minister Albares for their efforts in physically removing the barrier.
Franco positively assessed the tone of harmony and understanding in the Prime Minister's speech during the demolition ceremony. The mayor specified that today's event is focused on celebration, postponing municipal demands for the coming hours, and confirmed that "tomorrow morning" he will resume contacts and appropriate negotiations with the administrations to resolve local issues and improve the quality of life for the residents of La Línea.
Today's events are a continuation of the intense emotion experienced last night, when a crowd of residents crossed the border crossing on foot at midnight. Juan Franco himself participated in this historic transit, meeting on the Gibraltarian side with the Chief Minister of the Rock, Fabian Picardo, with whom he shared a hug symbolizing the end of mobility restrictions between the two cities.
After crossing the pedestrian limit, the mayor of La Línea highlighted the significance of the day, stating that the border opening has been culminated on a historic day for the city. Franco emphasized that a new horizon is now opening, in which he hopes the municipality will be able to advance all its projects and face future challenges, relying on the involvement of the Government of Spain and the Regional Government of Andalusia.
The mayor extends his gratitude to all the political actors involved in this process, including the British Government, that of Gibraltar, and particularly Fabian Picardo for his effort in materializing the dismantling of one of Europe's last borders.
