Lakhdar clarified, in a statement to the Agency official spanish EFEthat the geographical conditions of the two cross-border crossings do not allow the opening of customs.
The Moroccan official said that the customs problem with Sebta and “is a political problem handled by the Moroccan and Spanish ministries of the interior”, according to the roadmap recently established between the two countries, noting that “the customs administration will execute all the decisions taken by the political authorities”.
When the two ministries agree on the aspects related to Sebta and Melillia, “we are implementing them,” he told, stressing that his administration “doesn’t make the political decision.”
The Moroccan manager has indicated having discussed with his Spanish counterparts the geographical difficulties posed by the current structure of the two crossing points adding that when the “political decision is made, we will apply it” by making the necessary modifications.
In addition, the DG of Customs insisted on the importance of economic relations between Madrid and Rabat, and argued that Spain remains Morocco’s main trading partner.
With regard to the end of smuggling with the two Spanish cities, which was often carried out by the so-called transporters in inhumane conditions, Lakhdar welcomed the consensus between the Moroccan and Spanish authorities on the need to put an end to this phenomenon and its repercussions.