Melilla Leader Accuses Morocco of Economic Blockade Despite Improved Spain Relations

Melilla suffers from the closure of commercial customs unilaterally decided by Morocco since 2018. The president of the autonomous city, Eduardo de Castro, denounces this economic blockade which persists, although President Pedro Sanchez expressed in April 2022 Spain’s support for the Moroccan autonomy plan, marking the beginning of a new stage in relations between the two countries, based on trust and mutual respect. Yet, a year after the normalization of relations, commercial customs have not resumed, blocking the flow of goods.

According to de Castro, the maintenance of the closure of customs benefits Morocco which has "invested in two very important ports [in Tangier and Nador] intended to generate wealth and employment" and which "uses hybrid strategies and "gray zone" consisting of using pressure tactics to economically suffocate the city". In an interview with El Periódico de España, the President of Melilla indicated that Pedro Sanchez "should have maintained" Spain’s position on the Sahara because this historic turnaround has not yet brought significant progress on key issues such as the reopening of customs and reciprocity in passenger traffic at the border.

De Castro admits not being associated with the ongoing negotiations concerning the reopening of commercial customs, but has on several occasions asked the Ministers of the Interior and Foreign Affairs to accelerate the talks for this purpose. However, he acknowledges that the change of position on the Sahara in favor of Morocco which, moreover, is "a dictatorship" according to him, has made it possible to reduce the flow of migrants, keeping in mind the tragedy of June 24 on the Melilla border, which caused at least 23 deaths according to official sources.

"Now that the government of Pedro Sánchez will have the presidency of Europe, it is the ideal time to integrate the Committee of the Regions... I have taken members of the Committee of the Regions to Melilla and I have been to Brussels twice. The Committee of the Regions will