In a move described as a major diplomatic and commercial victory, Morocco succeeded in imposing its conditions on trade with Spain through occupied Melilla.
Spanish media sources, most notably the newspaper “Larazon”, citing “Elvaro de Melilla”, revealed that the Kingdom of Morocco was able to achieve strategic gains with regard to the customs system.
While Moroccan goods, including fruits, vegetables and fish, are now allowed to enter occupied Melilla, allowing the entry of Spanish goods will remain subject to the approval of the Moroccan authorities.
Reports stated that the Spanish government representative in Melilla, Sabrina Moh, met with a number of local businessmen to inform them of the new decision, noting that the new system will soon be implemented in the coming weeks.
However, the striking paradox lies in the selective nature of this agreement.
According to the Spanish newspaper, this decision will not include any unified system to regulate the entry of Spanish goods. Rather, only some products made in occupied Melilla will be given the opportunity to enter Morocco, according to criteria decided by the Moroccan authorities without announcing them in advance.
It is noteworthy that this step comes in the context of the resumption of diplomatic relations between Morocco and Spain after a period of tension.
Last February, during his visit to Rabat, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that the two countries were working to “normalize customs” at the border crossings in occupied Melilla and Ceuta, considering this an essential part of the bilateral agenda.
The negotiations between Rabat and Madrid resulted in a fundamental change in the customs system that dominates the Melilla and Ceuta crossings, which reflects a new Moroccan policy aimed at complete control over the terms of trade exchange.
Observers believe that Morocco seeks to strengthen its economic and diplomatic power by imposing agreements based on its national and regional interests.
On the other hand, this development raises challenges for Spanish businessmen who are accustomed to a different system of cross-border trade.
Whereas Morocco had previously been relatively open to the movement of goods from Melilla, it is now more cautious and selective in its dealings with Spanish products. This reshapes the nature of the economic relationship between the two parties and places more pressure on Spanish companies in the region.
It is worth noting that Morocco has worked in recent years to modernize its infrastructure and develop its economic relations at the global level.
It appears that his latest strategy in dealing with customs aims to strengthen his sovereignty over the border posts and ensure the flow of his national products to foreign markets in a more efficient manner with less losses.
With all these changes, the question remains: To what extent will these measures affect economic relations between the two countries? The coming days will be decisive in determining the form of this new bilateral cooperation, in light of the continuing discussion about the implementation of the new customs system and its impact on the movement of trade and the future of trade exchange in the border region.
