AToday, goods were transported to Morocco through the commercial customs in Melilla. This is one more step towards the normalization of the border and commercial customs”announced Wednesday on the X network the delegate of the Spanish government (prefect) in Melilia, Sabrina Moh.
Morocco unilaterally closed commercial customs with Melilia in 2018, in a context of permanent diplomatic tensions following the Spanish refusal to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara.
Sebta for its part has not until now had any customs office for the transit of goods: only the passage of people and private vehicles was in fact authorized until now.
But a commercial customs office was inaugurated there on Thursday with the passage of a first truck of goods. According to the regional daily The Ceuta Lighthousethis truck crossed customs at 11:00 a.m.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said Wednesday in Beirut, where he is visiting, that the passage of goods through Sebta and Melilia was part of the “initial phase” of the normalization of commercial relations, according to Spanish media.
The border crossings of the two Spanish cities were completely closed in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The closure of the borders was then prolonged due to the conflict over the Sahara.
The latter finally reopened in May 2022, after Madrid abandoned its position of neutrality on this subject, and the support shown for the Moroccan autonomy project for the Sahara. But commercial customs remained closed, for reasons « techniques », Selon Madrid.
(with AFP)
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