MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Spanish mayor promises closer people to people relations with Gibraltar

Alejandro Sanchez, new mayor of La Linea belongs to Spain’s opposition PP

Alejandro Sanchez the newly elected mayor of La Linea, the Spanish city next to Gibraltar, has declared he wants to intensify cross border relations and foster increased contacts between groups, associations and professional bodies on both sides of the frontier.

Speaking to the Gibraltar Chronicle, Sanchez said he was keen to do much more to bring together the citizens on both sides and push civil society to the forefront of the relationship.

“In my recent visit to Gibraltar, I coincided with the Chief Minister and made my views, and interest in greater local cooperation, known to him. Education, Culture and the environment among many others are areas we would like to make progress on”, said Sanchez.

And in what appeared to be a reference to the Community Care issue he said: “There are other matters that concern the people of La Linea in a Gibraltar context, although these are outside of the Ayuntamiento’s competence”.

Sánchez this week met with Julio Montesinos the Spanish Foreign Ministry envoy for the Campo area, and reiterated his willingness for good cross-border relations by expanding contacts with Gibraltar.

Sanchez described the meeting as “positive” and expressed a desire to work with the Ministry in matters that affect La Linea in respect of Gibraltar issues.

Caruana and Sanchez met at a recent civic event in Gibraltar’s City Hall where they coincided during a tribute to the former Chief Minister and ‘Father of the Gibraltarians’ Sir Joshua Hassan.

At the time it was described as their first encounter since Sanchez took over the reins of the Ayuntamiento following the demise of his predecessor.

“This augurs well for a new improved climate in Gibraltar-La Linea relations at the highest political level which was inexistent during the Juarez era”, reported the Chronicle at the time.

Caruana and Sanchez shook hands, exchanged cordial greetings and friendly conversation while expressing a desire to meet at the earliest possible opportunity.

Sanchez said he was keen to “bring a breath of fresh air” to cross-border neighbourly relations between La Linea and Gibraltar.