The Government will set up a single command centre to manage the migration crisis in Ceuta and will significantly expand the city's Comprehensive Socio-Economic Development Plan

The First Vice-President of the Government of Spain and Minister for Economy, Trade and Business, Carlos Cuerpo, presented two Government proposals to the President of the Autonomous City, Juan Jesús Vivas, aimed at supporting the city both in the current situation and for the future.

Cuerpo described the meeting with Vivas and his team as "very productive" and thanked the president for his commitment and willingness to cooperate on both measures.

"We are at a crucial juncture in the management of this crisis", said the Vice-president of the Government, who emphasised that the Government is "fully aware that the people of Ceuta are having a hard time".

Three phases for a single crisis

Cuerpo explained that the response to the crisis has been structured in successive phases. The first, launched in response to the violation of Spain's territorial integrity, focused on stemming the influx and ensuring peace and order at the border; that objective was achieved on 31 July and has been maintained ever since. The second phase involved providing humanitarian assistance to thousands of migrants whilst facilitating their voluntary repatriation, with more than 90% of those who had entered the territory irregularly returning to Morocco.

According to the Vice-president, a third phase is now beginning - one in which the Government has already been engaged for several weeks - characterised by three challenges: repatriating those who do not have the right to remain in the country; to provide appropriate support for minors and asylum seekers who do have the right to remain, dealing swiftly and with full respect for humanitarian and legal safeguards with cases involving significant logistical and bureaucratic complexity; and ensuring that the crisis does not take its toll on the city, but rather that its population regains its spirits and confidence in its prospects for development and prosperity.

A single authority to manage the migration crisis

In response to these challenges, Cuerpo has put forward two proposals to President Vivas, which he has welcomed.

The first is the establishment of a single command structure: the Government will declare, in the Council of Ministers and by Royal Decree, a situation of national security interest in Ceuta - a request made by President Vivas himself and by the Autonomous City in view of the need for enhanced coordination amongst all the relevant authorities that goes 'beyond' security matters.

This single command structure will be headed by the Minister for Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Ángel Víctor Torres, and will include a specialist committee comprising representatives of the Autonomous City - including President Vivas - the Government's delegate in the city, the National Intelligence Centre (CNI) and all the ministers involved, with advice from the Department of National Security.

Expansion of the Comprehensive Socio-Economic Development Plan

The second proposal announced by Cuerpo involves an extraordinary and immediate expansion of the Comprehensive Socio-Economic Development Plan for Ceuta. This plan has been jointly driven by both administrations since 2022 - with the participation of social partners, businesses and civil society - and has fostered the city's economic growth, infrastructure modernisation and social integration. This scheme has already mobilised over 180 million euros - a record figure for the city - and this expansion will make it possible to both consolidate the progress achieved and respond to the exceptional nature of the current situation.

This expansion will include immediate, far-reaching measures aimed at improving conditions for businesses, the self-employed and workers in the city. The Government and the Autonomous City will finalise these measures in the coming days and will discuss them with the main social partners, associations and key sectors at scheduled meetings, with a view to presenting and approving them as soon as possible.

The Vice-president stated that the package of measures will focus on three objectives: strengthening urban and border security in Ceuta; managing returns and providing solutions for migrants currently in the city; and strengthening public services and revitalising Ceuta's economy.

Carlos Cuerpo reaffirmed the Government's commitment to the city: "The Government will make all necessary resources available to Ceuta's institutions and citizens, thereby reaffirming our commitment to the security, sovereignty and prosperity of Ceuta". The Vice-president emphasised that, although Ceuta is a border territory, its citizens "must feel the presence of the State" just as those residing on the mainland do.

Non official translation