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Authorities in the Kingdom have finally agreed to examine the closure of commercial borders, separating the northern region of the Kingdom and the Spanish enclave, Melilla. The meeting is expected to take place in Rabat in the «next week» and will be attended by the head of Customs in Spain and his Moroccan counterpart, said on Tuesday, 4th of August, the Melilla government in a statement.
The communiqué praised the efforts made by the Foreign Affairs, Finance and Territorial Policy and Civil Society ministries, which are trying to find a solution to the current situation. On the other hand, it did not reveal the exact day during which the two parties will be meeting.
Announcing the meeting comes as entrepreneurs in Melilla alongside the president of the autonomous city launched a campaign, last week, against Madrid. They have accused the ruling party in Spain of not knowing how to manage the situation in Melilla.
On August 29th, Madrid hosted a meeting that was attended by senior officials from the Foreign Affairs, and Finance ministries and the local government in Melilla. They have sent a letter to the Moroccan authorities to arrange a meeting.
Pedro Sanchez, Melilla and Morocco
Accepting to address the decision that has been taken on the 1st of August is a positive signal for Spain. Relations between the Kingdom and the government of the newly elected Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez have been going through a dialogue phase, especially as the two countries are currently concentrating on the migration issue.
On Thursday, August 30th, the government spokesperson Mustapha El Khalfi, was firm on the subject. Speaking to media, he explained that «the Moroccan authorities consider the closure as a sovereign decision which regards Morocco. Rabat made this decision in accordance with its national sovereignty». He added that the measure decreed by the Customs Administration aims to «develop the activity of the new seaport built in Nador», in northern Morocco.
