Morocco-Spain Border Reopening Likely in Late 2022, Spain Prepares New Economic Plan

The government of Pedro Sánchez has set up an inter-ministerial commission to prepare for the possible reopening of the borders with Morocco. The commission’s objective is to propose new economic alternatives to the borders in order to break with the bad practices that prevailed before the borders were closed. Regardless of Morocco’s decisions, which has been exerting "economic pressure" and "suffocation" on the two autonomous cities for years, Spain will continue its plan, reports El Pais.

To read: Spain Unveils Plan to Redesign Ceuta and Melilla Borders, Combat Smuggling

Initially, border management will undergo a major overhaul. In the medium and long term, the government will work to implement its socio-economic rescue plan, the development of which began after the May migration crisis and is not yet finalized. Thus, the smuggling trade that was once tolerated will no longer be allowed.

Other reforms are envisaged, such as changing the status of Ceuta and Melilla to transform them into "island cities", their entry into the Schengen area, the control of vaccines at the borders, the rehabilitation of the borders into "smart borders", etc.