MADRID —
Spain on Saturday announced its two enclaves in
North Africa, the EU’s only land borders with the continent, would remain
closed for 15 days, dashing hopes they would finally reopen after two years.
اضافة اعلان
The frontiers of the two Spanish enclaves of Ceuta
and Melilla were first shut in spring 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic
and stayed closed during a diplomatic crisis in 2021 between Madrid and Rabat.
The borders were
due to reopen on Saturday at midnight. But an order published in the official
gazette said they would remain shut for “15 days so that the conditions for the
gradual and orderly reopening of border posts at the entry and exit of Ceuta
and Melilla are concluded”.
The Spanish interior ministry said the police force
had been “strengthened” in the two enclaves.
During a landmark visit to Rabat on April 8 by
Spanish Prime Minister
Pedro Sanchez, Spain and Morocco hailed a “new stage” in
relations.
Sanchez said one of the “main aims will be the
restoration of goods and property at the border crossings of Ceuta and
Melilla”.
Ferries resumed between Morocco and Spain this
month, with the first Spanish vessel docking in Tangiers port on April 12 after
two years.
The diplomatic crisis began a year ago when Madrid allowed
Brahim Ghali, leader of the Polisario Front which seeks independence for the
territory of Western Sahara, to be treated for COVID-19 in a Spanish hospital.
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