Morocco Rules Out Commercial Customs at Ceuta and Melilla Border Crossings

"It would take several tens of hectares to build visit and control points, etc. The current configuration of Bab Sebta does not allow it. We do not have the necessary surface area to consider such a project," Lakhdar explained in an interview with El Confidencial.

Read: Melilla Business Leaders Urge Reopening of Morocco Border Customs for Trade

These statements by the Director General of Moroccan Customs come 24 hours after the visit to Brussels of the presidents of Ceuta and Melilla, Juan Vivas and Eduardo De Castro, to attend the presentation of the report by the European deputy Jordi Cañas.

"We do not have a precise date for the installation of the commercial customs. As you know, the city president is in talks with the central government so that the office can be operational under the best possible conditions," said the government spokesman, Alberto Gaitán, for his part.