The Spanish authorities have announced that the country has decided to reopen its land borders of Ceuta and Melilla with Morocco on May 17.
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The land borders will be reopened soon after the Minister of Interior of Spain, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, signs the ministerial border order.
According to the Spanish Ministry of Interior, the decision of the country to reopen its borders follows the successful cooperation between the authorities of the two countries.
The Spanish and the Moroccan authorities have agreed to a gradual reopening. It has been explained that as soon as the first phase of the reopening takes place, citizens and residents of the EU as well as nationals of other countries who are authorised to enter the Schengen Area, will be permitted to cross the land borders.
“It will be a gradual reopening: at midnight between Monday and Tuesday of next week, the steps of El Tarajal, in Ceuta, and Beni Enzar, in Melilla, will be reopened for citizens and residents of the European Union and for those people authorized to circulate in the Schengen Area,†the statement of the Ministry reads.
The Ministry emphasised that apart from having to meet general border rules, persons who cross the border will also be required to follow the health requirements established by the Ministry of Health.
Additionally, the Ministry has noted that legally recognised cross-border workers will also be able to enter the Spanish territory from May 31.
“As of Tuesday, May 31, legally recognized cross-border workers will be able to enter Spanish territory through these same steps, as well as those who, due to the expiration of the card that accredits them as such, have obtained a specific visa for Ceuta and Melilla,†the Ministry added.
According to the latter, within the gradual reopening process, the Spanish and Moroccan groups will determine the categories of people and goods that will be able to access Ceuta and Melilla through the border with Morocco. ■