Melilla is pushing for inclusion in the European Union’s Customs Union following the recent breakdown in its border trade relationship with Morocco.
The President of Melilla, Juan José Imbroda, acknowledged the halt in cross-border trade and emphasized the need for “another horizon” for the city.
Imbroda urged local businesses and merchants to overcome their apprehensions regarding potential consequences for border trade with Morocco, as that avenue is effectively closed.
“Cross-border trade has already ended here. Unfortunately, it is over,” said Imbroda.
Imbroda said that he views Europe as the key to Melilla’s future and is actively collaborating with the Andalusian government to achieve this goal.
Imbroda stressed the potential benefits of Customs Union membership, extending beyond just economic advantages.
The president said that the Customs Union membership would streamline the movement of goods, particularly addressing the current challenges faced with returns and logistics.
These difficulties were recently highlighted by the President of Malaga’s Provincial Council during an agri-food fair in Melilla. Transporting products for sale proved complex due to the city’s non-EU customs status.
The president expressed his unwavering confidence in the positive impact of Customs Union membership. He envisions a future with “more commercial relations” and overall improvement “from every point of view, political, economic, and social.”
Since 2018, the trade borders between Morocco and the Spanish cities of Melilla and Ceuta have been closed to commercial activity.
Morocco claims this is necessary to control the smuggling of goods from the duty-free zones in these enclaves into Morocco, which harms their own economy.
The situation is further complicated by a long-standing political dispute. Morocco contests Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla, and some believe the border closure is a tactic to pressure Spain regarding this issue.
Recent signs of progress include the borders reopening for people in May 2022. However, restrictions on commercial goods remain, and negotiations between the two countries are ongoing.
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