Gibraltar and Spain Dismantle Border Fences Under New Movement Treaty

Gibraltar and Spain are dismantling border fences as a new treaty on freedom of movement between the British territory and Spain comes into effect. The agreement, which takes effect on Wednesday, aims to end the daily queues and checkpoints that have long characterized the border.

Gibraltar, a small British territory with a population of 40,000, receives 15,000 cross-border workers daily. The accord was reached after years of challenging negotiations, conducted against a backdrop of tensions between London and Brussels following Britain's withdrawal from the European Union.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is scheduled to visit the border area on Wednesday. Workers have been busy for weeks removing the old metal fencing and crossing points that separated the territory from Spain. Sánchez stated, "Finally, after hundreds of years, it will be possible to tear down the last wall still standing in the European Union."

Tensions between Spain and Gibraltar were at their peak in 1969 when Spain closed the border. This followed a referendum where the residents of Gibraltar overwhelmingly voted to remain under British sovereignty. The border was not reopened until 1985.

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Finally, after hundreds of years, it will be possible to tear down the last wall still standing in the European Union.