Rabat – Spain and Morocco have taken a number of bold decisions as part of plans to open a new phase of bilateral relations, including the full restoration of the movement of people and goods.
A joint declaration between Spain and Morocco stipulates that the two countries are looking forward to establishing a “sustainable and ambitious roadmap” to improve their bilateral relations.
Morocco and Spain issued the joint declaration following a meeting between Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and King Mohammed VI on Thursday evening.
King Mohammed VI extended an invitation to Sanchez to visit Morocco after Spain officially endorsed Morocco’s position regarding the Western Sahara dispute.
Reopening of borders
One of the key elements in the new roadmap is the countries’ decision to fully normalize the movement of persons and goods in an orderly manner.
The two countries also agreed to ensure appropriate customs and personnel control arrangements on land and sea.
Passenger shipping between the two countries will also be restored immediately. The news of the reopening of borders was widely celebrated by both Spanish and Moroccan media.
The decision means that the borders between Morocco and the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla will be reopened.
The borders had been closed for a couple of years due to COVID-19 and Morocco’s restrictions to avoid goods trafficking hampering its economy.
In 2019, Morocco tightened restrictions on the Ceuta and Melilla border crossings, with permanent closure.
Smuggling activities in the Ceuta border in Tarajal II were suspended from October 9 in 2019. Meanwhile, the Melilla crossing border was suspended for over a few years.
Many Moroccans living in northern Morocco such as Tetouan, Fnideq, Nador, and nearby areas were generating incomes by bringing goods from the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla to resell them in Morocco.
The closure of the border was due to Morocco’s concerns regarding the illegal import of goods from Melilla, and the negative impact on Morocco’s economy.
In February, the Moroccan Administration of Customs and Indirect Taxation estimated the value of the products entering Morocco through the Ceuta border between €550 million and €730 million.
Pedro Sanchez expressed satisfaction with the joint decision between Morocco and Spain, emphasizing that the two countries are opening a new phase based on “permanent communication, transparency, mutual respect, and signed agreements.”
He added that the two countries are celebrating a “historic moment of responsibility,” establishing that the agreement will contribute to ensuring the interests, stability, and integrity of both countries.
España y Marruecos inician una nueva etapa basada en la comunicación permanente, la transparencia, el respeto mutuo y de los acuerdos firmados. Afrontamos con responsabilidad este momento histórico que contribuirá a asegurar los intereses, estabilidad e integridad de ambos países pic.twitter.com/KmhvlKD6fI
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) April 7, 2022
España y Marruecos inician una nueva etapa basada en la comunicación permanente, la transparencia, el respeto mutuo y de los acuerdos firmados. Afrontamos con responsabilidad este momento histórico que contribuirá a asegurar los intereses, estabilidad e integridad de ambos países pic.twitter.com/KmhvlKD6fI
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) April 7, 2022
