Rabat – Local authorities and business leaders in Ceuta say they hope the bilateral summit between Spain and Morocco, which opens today in Madrid, will lead to what they describe as a normal and efficient customs operation that meets the expectations of economic operators and public institutions.
Juan Vivas, president of the Spanish government in Ceuta, has repeatedly stated that the reopening of customs represents a historic step in efforts to normalize border crossings with Morocco.
He described it as a decisive stage toward establishing a commercial flow similar to any international goods checkpoint.
Vivas added that what is needed now is “regular and practical customs operations, without additional restrictions.”
Arancha Campos, president of Ceuta’s Business Association, echoed this view.
She said she hopes the meetings in Madrid result in “a real agreement between the two countries” that will allow for the establishment of fully operational commercial customs.
Speaking to Europa Press, Campos noted that the current customs arrangements in Ceuta remain “partial” and lack “sufficient legal certainty,” a situation she argued has discouraged investors from engaging in import and export activities with Morocco since the first commercial exchange on February 11.
In Melilla, business leaders expressed similar expectations. Enrique Alcoba, president of the local Business Association, said he hopes the summit will bring meaningful progress toward commercial normalization between Spain and Morocco.
The Morocco-Spain 13th High-Level Meeting points to the continued strengthening of relations between the two countries and represents an important milestone in their bilateral partnership.
Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs noted that the summit comes at a time of “excellent bilateral relations” between the two countries.
Cabinet-level discussions are set to focus on expanding cooperation in several areas, including energy, transport, trade, political and economic collaboration, and migration management.