The Government has decided to extend 15 days the closure of the land borders of Ceuta Y Melilla with Moroccowhich concluded this midnight, to finalize with the neighboring country the mechanisms that will govern the next reopening of the steps, according to the order published this Saturday in the Official State Gazette (BOE).
In accordance with that order, Ministry of Interiorthe closure that was decreed with the pandemic is extended on this occasion “only fifteen days, while the conditions for the orderly and progressive reopening of the land posts enabled for entry and exit from Spain through the cities of Ceuta and Melilla, without prejudice to the possibility of modifying any of the articles before that period”.
The current border order, with the restrictions that apply to Spain’s external land, sea and air borders by virtue of the recommendations of the Council of the European Unionexpires this midnight.
The extension, therefore, will take effect from 12:00 a.m. on May 1 until 12:00 p.m. on May 15, although it could be modified if circumstances change, it is noted in the new order published in the BOE.
In a statement, Interior explains that in this period the Spanish-Moroccan working groups created by virtue of the agreement reached by the Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchezand the king Mohammed VI They will continue their meetings and outline all the details of the reopening of the border crossings, closed since March 13, 2020.
The Ministry of the Interior highlights that it has reinforced the police forces in both Ceuta and Melilla
According to the Ministry, the work is well advanced and a reopening is being designed that will be gradual and that will have all the guarantees, both from a health and safety point of view.
To guarantee security needs, the Interior highlights that it has reinforced police forces in both Ceuta and Melilla.
The joint declaration signed on April 9 by Spain and Morocco marked the roadmap for the new bilateral relations, which includes the reopening of border crossings and the traffic restoration air and sea, respect for borders, and cooperation in matters such as immigration, economic and cultural development or education.
On Thursday, May 5, two delegations from Spain and Morocco will meet in Rabat to prepare the Operation Crossing the Strait 2022suspended since 2020, and on Friday the 6th the working group on migration will also meet in the Moroccan capital.
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