Government of Spain to develop global project to strengthen and modernise border with Morocco

Pedro Sánchez expressed the Government of Spain's commitment to the two autonomous cities and told them about the government's projects in their territories, which include actions in the fields of infrastructure, healthcare, education, social services, justice, defence and security.

As regards the situation at the border with Morocco, the President of the Government told them about the global reinforcement and modernisation project focused on improving border post installations and increasing human resources. The project involves replacing the current razor wire with non-harmful measures, although it will first be necessary to come up with other complementary security measures. Once efforts to modernise the land border protection system begin, a decision will be reached on the human resources needed to implement them. Work is also under way on a specific plan to strengthen controls to prevent money laundering.

As regards the unilateral decision by Morocco to close trade at the Beni-Ensar border crossing this summer, leading to many problems in Melilla, Pedro Sánchez stressed that diplomatic measures are ongoing and accompanied by a bilateral working group that was set up in September comprising official customs staff from both countries in order to try and remedy the situation. The next meeting will take place on 11 December.

On the issue of immigration, the Government of Spain has allocated 40 million euros to the autonomous regions and cities for services provided to unaccompanied foreign minors (UFM) arriving in 2018, regardless of the fact that this is an exclusively regional issue. Of that amount, it is expected that 1.2 million euros will be allocated to Ceuta and 1.3 million euros to Melilla. Furthermore, Ceuta and Melilla already received 2.3 million euros and 4.1 million euros, respectively, in August for improving the services provided at UFM reception centres.

An inter-regional coordination council has also been set up, the first session of which was held in September, to facilitate interaction between all institutions and public authorities involved in this issue. The Working Group on Child Migrants of the Childhood Watchdog met on 5 November to define a new model for supporting UFM. Pedro Sánchez responded to the matter of returning these minors during his visit to Morocco on 19 November on the basis of two key principles: the interests of the minor in question; and respect for national legislation.

Improved infrastructures in Ceuta

Pool Moncloa/Fernando CalvoAt his meeting with the President of Ceuta, Pedro Sánchez told Juan Jesús Vivas that the Government of Spain is doing everything necessary to complete the first stage of the works on the N-352 (the only access road into Morocco), informing him that work is already under way on upgrading and converting this road to a dual carriageway between the Arcos Quebrados roundabout and the border. Two urban area boundary definition studies that are essential to the development of Ceuta are also under way.

As regards the port, the Port Authority of Ceuta is working on the investment for a new complex for passenger and vehicle traffic, which will represent an investment of 15 million euros. If the environmental procedures that depend on the autonomous city can be expedited, Puertos del Estado (the Spanish ports authority) will bring forward its investment to 2019.

On the issue of transport, two new measures will be implemented to improve connections between Ceuta and the mainland via helicopter: firstly, by eliminating the minimum amounts applicable to certain tariffs (aerodrome landing and transit) that will affect the Port of Malaga; and, secondly, loyalty in operations at the heliports on the Ceuta-Algeciras line will be enhanced under a new trade incentive.

Support in education, healthcare and housing

Pedro Sánchez and Juan Jesús Vivas also discussed the housing situation in Ceuta during their meeting at Moncloa Palace. The new 2018-2021 State Housing Plan will allocate 1.4 million euros to this autonomous city, 637,000 euros more than under the previous plan. Furthermore, Entidad Pública Empresarial de Suelo (Spanish acronym: SEPES) [Public Land Corporation] recently approved an agreement for the construction of 90 subsidised homes in Loma Colmenar, which will be gradually joined by another 410.

As regards education, they agreed on the urgency of and exceptional interest in building a centre in Brull. On the issue of healthcare, refurbishment and expansion work on the "El Tarajal" health clinic will resume during the first half of next year.

Infrastructure, housing and employment in Melilla

Pool Moncloa/Fernando CalvoDuring his meeting with the President of Melilla, Pedro Sánchez told Juan José Imbroda that the Government of Spain will improve connections between the autonomous city and the mainland next year, when the new air routes with Almeria, Granada and Seville become operational, recalling that the Council of Ministers meeting on 5 October approved the Declaration as a Public Service Obligation of these connections. Furthermore, they will be boosted by the 75% subsidy on the current fare price as from July 2018.

Pedro Sánchez told Juan José Imbroda that work by the Government of Spain on various infrastructure projects is well under way, such as expansion of the desalination plant, the recovery of beaches and water sanitation. Work is also under way to improve various sections of the ML-101 and ML-300 roads. Melilla will also participate in and benefit from the new State Housing Plan, while negotiations of the new Employment Plan for the Autonomous City of Melilla for 2019 remain pending.

Education and healthcare

Furthermore, various projects have been launched to improve funding for education and teachers in Melilla, while the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training is working with the Islamic Commission of Spain to offer the teachings of Islam alongside the education system.

The President of the Government also said that the General State Budget for 2019 includes two items for the University of Granada to fund university studies in Ceuta and Melilla. They amount to almost nine million euros, 400,000 euros more than in 2018.

Lastly, the President of the Government also told Juan José Imbroda that the Government of Spain is studying measures to tackle the problem arising in the healthcare services of the autonomous city with Moroccan citizens fraudulently seeking treatment at Spanish public hospitals.

Non official translation