The Director-General of Moroccan Customs, Nabil Lakhdar, stressed that it would be possible to establish a novel customs infrastructure with both Spanish enclaves Ceuta and Melilla, “after completing the necessary changes.”
In a statement to Spanish news agency EFE, Lakhdar clarified that some statements attributed to him by a Moroccan news outlet on the matter were “wrong.”
According to EFE, the incorrect statements attributed to the official were that the opening of customs between Morocco and the enclaves was impossible due to geographic conditions.
Lakhdar explained that the customs problem with Ceuta and Melilla “is a political problem, which is being addressed by the Moroccan and Spanish Ministries of Interior” in accordance with the recently established roadmap between the two countries.
“The customs administration will carry out all decisions taken by the political authorities,” he stressed.
“When the two ministries agree on aspects related to Ceuta and Melilla, we will apply them,” said Lakhdar, reiterating that his administration “does not take part in political decisions.”
The Moroccan official stressed that he and his Spanish counterparts had discussed the geographical difficulties presented by the current structure of the two crossing points for the passage of trucks and trailers without disrupting the transit of passengers, but added that when the “political decision is made, we will apply it” by making the necessary changes, that will enable authorities to surmount the challenging logistics of the crossings.
In addition, Lakhdar stressed the importance of economic ties between Madrid and Rabat, recalling that Spain is Morocco’s main trading partner, which means that opening customs between both governments is only a matter of mutual understanding.
Regarding the ongoing campaign to end smuggling between Morocco and the two Spanish enclaves, Lakhdar welcomed the consensus between the Moroccan and Spanish authorities on the need to end this phenomenon, and its positive consequences for both countries.
After two years of closure due to the pandemic and the diplomatic crisis between the two countries, the two border crossings were reopened on May 17 once bilateral relations were resumed.
However, the commercial customs office that previously operated in Melilla has not been reopened, and a customs office has not been installed in Ceuta, according to the Spanish outlet.
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