More than four years have passed since the announcement of the opening of trade customs in Melilla and Ceuta, following the first official visit of the Spanish Prime Minister to Rabat after the diplomatic shift concerning Western Sahara. Unfortunately, the operation of these customs has met with failure, mirroring the complex relationship between Spanish authorities and their southern neighbor, Morocco. This situation can be characterized by a sense of submission to Morocco, accompanied by a complete abandonment of any commitment to provide future guarantees or public explanations regarding the customs operations. The upcoming "Operación Paso del Estrecho" (Operation Crossing of the Strait), scheduled to commence officially on June 15 and conclude on September 15, serves as a pretext for Rabat to enforce the closure of customs that were officially set to open in early 2025, citing operational incompatibility as a reason. This could be the final blow to the nascent commercial customs.
According to Carlos Echeverría, president of the Ceuta and Melilla Observatory and a professor of International Relations at UNED, Spain is making tremendous logistical efforts for the operation, which Morocco does not appreciate. He points out that customs in Ceuta and Melilla are not functioning effectively, nor is there any indication that they will improve, especially since Rabat seems to hold significant leverage in this matter.
Despite the official inauguration of these customs in January 2025, activity has been virtually non-existent since then, with current figures indicating a bleak outlook. Any movement of goods is contingent upon specific approval from Moroccan customs authorities, who currently allow only a limited range of products—ostensibly construction materials, automotive parts, fresh produce, and home electronics—and only in small quantities.
In February, Spain's Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, claimed that the commercial customs in the two autonomous cities were "open and functioning normally," which has drawn skepticism from local business leaders. Enrique Alcoba, president of the Confederation of Entrepreneurs of Melilla (CEME), expressed frustration, stating that whether or not the operation takes place, the same trucks pass through, meaning virtually none. He criticized the customs for being restricted to the export of a few household appliances while allowing Morocco to dictate terms. This lack of trust has led many entrepreneurs to refrain from engaging in trade, which Alcoba described as an affront and a disrespect to their businesses, emphasizing that no customs operation in the world operates under such limitations.
Alcoba further noted that little has changed since August 2018 at the border, with mere token movements of goods and dwindling hopes for change from both the current Spanish government and the Moroccan authorities. He highlighted that while there are 800 Spanish companies operating in Morocco and another 17,000 in Spain benefiting from trade with Morocco, this occurs at the expense of Ceuta and Melilla, where local businesses are stifled economically while Spain appears to acquiesce to Morocco’s demands.
The situation has also led to complaints regarding Moroccan border authorities, who, with the tacit approval of their Spanish counterparts, have violated traveler regulations since the reopening of borders in spring 2022, not allowing a single good to pass from Spain to Morocco. Alcoba emphasized the urgent need for Morocco to respect the traveler regime in both directions.
Meanwhile, Arantxa Campos, president of the Confederation of Entrepreneurs of Ceuta (CECE), remarked that the customs in Ceuta are merely a passage for some goods, lacking the functionality of a typical customs system as understood within the European Union. She cautioned that any relative regularity in crossings is often disrupted by the operation or any increase in traffic. Similarly, José Luis Martínez Lázaro, president of Total Logistic Services, lamented the absence of a functional customs system, pointing out discrepancies in treatment based on the origin of goods, which undermines the position of Melilla.
The upcoming operation will also introduce biometric controls at the Tarajal and Beni Enzar borders, in line with measures being implemented across the Schengen area. These developments raise concerns about potential long wait times during the crossing and at ports of embarkation.
Looking ahead, Carlos Echeverría emphasizes the need for the European Union to assert its role in this matter, highlighting that these are international borders between the EU and Morocco. He believes that Morocco would respect the EU’s authority due to the close relationship and benefits it derives from this connection. Echeverría concludes by stressing that yielding is not an option.
As reported by larazon.es.
