The Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, confirmed in Ceuta the completion of the infrastructure of the El Tarajal crossing and announced that the smart border will be fully operational before the end of the year, in accordance with the forecasts and deadlines established by the European Union.
“After six years of work and more than 22 million euro of investment, Ceuta now has a modern border post adapted to the needs and requirements of the EU, which will benefit the autonomous city and the entire population of Ceuta,” said the minister during a visit to El Tarajal, accompanied by, among other authorities, the Government delegate in Ceuta, Cristina Pérez, and the Director General of Police, Francisco Pardo.
Grande-Marlaska has toured the facilities of the three new terminals set up at the border crossing for the entry and exit of pedestrians and vehicles and has received explanations on the reorganisation of the spaces to facilitate greater efficiency and speed of movements. The work has included a comprehensive adaptation of the infrastructure, which has affected the interior spaces and the surveillance, electricity generation, telecommunications and security systems.
The minister confirmed the implementation of the Entry/Exit system (EES), known as the smart border, which has received 7.5 million euro from the investment made in El Tarajal. The EES establishes a fast-track system to facilitate the passage of cross-border workers and Spanish residents in the areas of influence of Tetouan. The closed-circuit television systems and the automatic number plate identification systems have also been modernised.
Among other improvements, the border crossing facilities have new people detectors, metal arches, luggage scanners, rapid fingerprint identification systems, manual metal detectors and access control systems.
Delivery of the Spanish flag to the National Police
Before visiting the El Tarajal border crossing, Grande-Marlaska presided over the presentation of the Spanish flag by the autonomous city to the Ceuta Police Headquarters in the Plaza de Armas of Ceuta, on the occasion of the bicentennial of the National Police.
The event was also attended by the President of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas, as well as the Government delegate in the autonomous city, the Director General of Police, and Rosa de Castro, magistrate of Section VI of the Provincial Court of Cádiz, who participated as the flag’s godmother.
The minister thanked the city of Ceuta for its offer and the work of the National Police officers who have seen their daily efforts in the autonomous city recognised with this gesture. “Ceuta stands out for its multiculturalism, but above all because coexistence always ends up prevailing in the face of difficulties, thanks to the efforts of many institutions, including the National Police,” said Grande-Marlaska during his speech.
The minister praised the public service vocation of the national police officers, “who put service for and by others as a priority, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding the fundamental rights and public freedoms of all citizens.”
His remarks also specifically mentioned the “extraordinary effort” required during the summer months by Operation Crossing the Straits, “a challenge in terms of preparation, prevention and response capacity” to enable the massive movement of people and vehicles between two continents.
“The flag that we are presenting to this Headquarters is a recognition of the merit of the police officers who serve here and also of the police officers who preceded you. To all of them, and to their families, we pay tribute, with all our respect and affection,” the minister concluded.
