Melilla Businesses Seek Clarity on Border Reopening Protocols with Morocco

While expressing its "joy" at the official announcement of the border reopening, the Confederation of Melilla Entrepreneurs (CEME-CEOE) regretted that it is "very limited, only for EU citizens or foreigners with a Schengen visa and, apparently, only for passengers without vehicles." In a statement, the Melilla employers stressed the need to "clearly define and communicate" the health requirements to be met from the reopening, according to La Verdad de Ceuta.

Read: Spain to Reopen Ceuta and Melilla Borders with Morocco After Two-Year Closure

Regarding the second phase of the reopening announced for May 31, Melilla employers are also asking to know the requirements that will be imposed on cross-border workers who will have to cross the border from that date. The CEME-CEOE also says it does not understand why Morocco is slow to reopen the commercial customs of Beni-Ensar, especially since "this has nothing to do with the pandemic or Schengen and is part of the 16 points agreed between the two governments."

Read: Spain to Reopen Ceuta and Melilla Borders with Morocco After Two-Year Closure

"We hope that goods exported from Morocco will not enter Spain without passing through this customs closed since August 1, 2018," insisted the Confederation, also asking for details on the types of goods authorized for import and export that must be cleared. "Without this, the retail trade in Melilla will not benefit at all from the reopening," warned the Melilla employers, who invited the authorities to maintain "constant and detailed" communication on the progress of the border reopening process.