Doha – The first authorized commercial vehicle completed its transit from Ceuta to Morocco on Tuesday. The vehicle, which belonged by Vivera Atlantic-Mediterranean Company, carried Rodaco automotive parts and waited four and a half hours at the border before successfully performing all procedures.
The vehicle entered the border zone at 3:30 p.m. and crossed in Morocco around 8:00 p.m.
“This first official expedition represents a milestone in the normalization of commercial relationships between the two nations” specified The Spanish government delegation in official communication.
This success takes place after two previous attempts by the same vehicle on January 8th and 16th, when it was turned back when carrying hygiene products Border crossing Every time.
Spanish government delegated Cristina Pérez Had clarified earlier that the previous delays were not due to political or diplomatic obstacles, but to administrative matters.
“These are purely budget problems, documents that need to be updated, and procedures that have to be smoothed during the current,” she said.
The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken a step back from the process when you consider that diplomatic affairs have been solved between the countries.
Minister José Manuel Albares met on January 23 with Ceutas President Juan Vivas and assured that commercial customs would gradually open under conventional operating conditions.
According to the specified regulations, vehicles from Spain can transport electronics, devices and cleaning products. In return, Moroccan exports can include aggregates, fruit, vegetables and fish products.
Current methods only enable small trucks with restrictions on frequency and specific time requirements.
After the announcement of a roadmap for Spain-Morocco, the process began after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchezz Relationships in Rabat on April 7, 2022, which contained provisions for land forces. The negotiations have extended for almost three years, which led to this first successful crossing.
This breakthrough announces the consequences for the trading sectors in Ceuta and Melilla, although Spanish dealers have expressed Reservations About the scope and implementation of the current agreement.
Enrique Alcoba, President of the Business Association of Melilla, expressed concerns about the transparency of the process and explained: “If things are continued to do so, with just one small van per month, neither customs nor transparency, nor respect each other.”
The main aspiration of residents in Ceuta and Melilla in relation to Morocco goes beyond customs beyond the establishment of a travel regime, similar to what Morocco implements at its airports.
This would enable people to wear gifts for family members in Morocco or tourist souvenirs worth up to € 100 or € 200, a practice that is currently limited, except during the summer operation.
Read too: The first company car crosses the Morocco-Melilla border after 6 years of closure
