Portugal and Spain will analyze the restoration of border controls during WYD

Portugal and Spain will review on Friday the replacement of land border guards during World Youth Day, the interior minister said Tuesday, acknowledging that many pilgrims could arrive in Lisbon via Spain.

“Next Friday, I have a meeting with the Spanish Minister of the Interior to work on the Spanish agenda for the Presidency of the European Union and, of course, on this issue. [fecho de fronteiras] will be considered,” José Luis Carneiro told reporters.

The Minister recalled that the coordination of security measures during World Youth Day (WYD), an event that takes place in Lisbon in the first week of August and is expected to attract about 1.5 million people, is the responsibility of the Secretary General of the National Security Service (SSI) .

An official speaking at the end of the ceremony marking the 112th anniversary of the National Republican Guard added that “a dialogue will be held with the Spanish Minister of the Interior”, recalling that Spain has also already organized the WYD.

The meeting of the two ministers will take place in Lisbon.

According to José Luis Carneiro, a meeting has already taken place with the head of the Spanish police and that the GNR commander-in-chief has been in contact with his Spanish and European counterparts.

“We are also going to listen to the general commander of the GNR, who is responsible for coordinating operations regarding traffic. We expect that many movements will be carried out through Spanish airports, that is, flights that will be operated to Spanish airports and after movement to Portugal it will be possible to carry out by road,” he stressed, stating that, in addition to the opinion of the Spanish Minister of the Interior, the restoration border control will also be assessed within the security forces. .

José Luis Carneiro indicated that the GNR and PSP are cooperating with the Secretary General of the SSI regarding the overall security plan and the respective operational plans of each of the security forces, as well as emphasizing the role of the National Emergency Civil Protection Service (ANEPC).

Asked if a security plan had already been drawn up, he sent it to the general secretary of the SSI, but as far as the PSP, GNR and ANEPC were concerned, “every effort was made to prepare security plans for each of these forces.”

The minister also said that “all human and material resources have been provided by GNR, PSP and ANEPC.”

WYD will take place in Lisbon from 1 to 6 August and will be attended by Pope Francis.

In his speech during the ceremony, GNR General Commander José López dos Santos also revealed that the corporation will “plan and implement policing activities” during WYD across the country, especially in places where initiatives and events related to the event and in particular, Sanctuary of Fatima.

The GNR will “support and assist in the organization of the pilgrimage, control and control movements around the country, in particular access to the city of Lisbon. And, if necessary, implement special measures to control and inspect land and sea borders,” he said.

The military ceremony marking the 112th anniversary of the National Republican Guard, which took place on Tuesday morning near the Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon, was to be presided over by Prime Minister António Costa.

When asked about António Costa’s absence, the Minister of the Interior replied that the Prime Minister was not present for “reasons of a very important personal nature” and “very sensitive reasons.”