Balearics sea border: PP demands permanent boost

The People’s Party (PP) in Ibiza is calling for a permanent increase in staff, equipment and technology along the Balearics’ sea border. On 15 September, the party said Spain’s National Police and Guardia Civil need more resources to monitor and handle irregular arrivals. It plans to table the motion across all institutions.

Jacobo Varela, the PP Ibiza deputy secretary for institutional relations, pointed to the border crisis in Ceuta on 30 and 31 July. He said it should be a warning for the whole of Spain, particularly the Balearics as part of the European Union’s external border.

Call for a dedicated sea-border plan

The party wants a specific plan for the Balearics’ maritime border, with stable reinforcements for the two security forces. It says this would improve surveillance, detection, identification and the management of irregular arrivals.

The PP argues that border protection should not rely on improvised action once available resources have already been overwhelmed. It says the state must prepare in advance and coordinate its response at all entry points to Spain.

Pressure on rescue and reception services

According to the PP, the Balearics has dealt with the effects of irregular migration for years. The party says this has put growing pressure on rescue services, reception, identification work and the protection of minors.

It insists that immigration, foreign nationals law, asylum and border control remain the responsibility of the state. Those duties, it says, must not be shifted in practice to regional governments, island councils or town halls.

The motion also restates Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla. It calls for more resources for the security forces, greater European Union involvement and for Morocco to meet its commitments.

Topics: Police · Migration · Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com