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Defence signs a “historic agreement” for the socio-economic and urban development of Ceuta

08/07/2025
Defence signs a “historic agreement” for the socio-economic and urban development of Ceuta

The measures contemplated in the Comprehensive Plans for the Socio-Economic Development of the Cities of Ceuta and Melilla have reached a new milestone that demonstrates the determination in their fulfillment by the Ministry of Defense.

With the agreement signed this morning between Margarita Robles and Juan Jesús Vivir, president of Ceuta, the eviction of the cantonments ‘Colonel Físcer’, ‘Lieutenant Fuentes Pila’ and ‘Otero’ begins, whose lands will be delivered to the city for the construction of social housing. Both have agreed to describe this agreement as “historic” and that, in the words of the Defense Minister, “it arises from the commitment, because we believe in Ceuta and, believing in Ceuta, we believe in our Armed Forces; it is not understood without the other”.

President Juan Jesús Vivir, for his part, thanked the intense work done to take “a fundamental step to meet one of the most characteristic needs of Ceuta in terms of its capacities for housing construction and development in all aspects, which is the shortage of land”.

“We are very sensitive to the issue of housing,” said the minister, “that is why we have done everything possible so that there can be agreements such as the one we signed today.”

NON-ONEROUS ASSIGNMENT

The land covered by the agreement occupies an area of approximately 140,000 m2, which is equivalent to approximately 8.5% of the entire area of Ceuta. Through a non-onerous transfer they will become the property of the City of Ceuta, which will allocate them to generate more opportunities for urban development and promotion of affordable housing.

The dislodged quarterings will, on the other hand, be concentrated in the base ‘General Pardo de Santayana’ in a process that is expected to be completed at the end of 2026 and that, as explained by the Defense Minister, “not only will not be detrimental to the effectiveness of the Land Army, but quite the opposite. And at the same time it opens up a lot of possibilities to the city.”

The signing has concluded with the commitment, on the part of both authorities, to achieve the objectives within the foreseen deadlines. “Where the Armed Forces are working,” said Minister Margarita Robles, “the agreements are signed and then complied with.”