The government of Ceuta is pinning its hopes on the Spain–Morocco bilateral summit, which begins today in Madrid, to finally establish a «normal and efficient» customs system that meets the expectations of businesses and public administrations, according to local authorities. Ceuta's regional president, Juan Vivas, has repeatedly stressed that opening the customs post marks a historic step in the gradual normalization of the border with Morocco, and is essential for enabling commercial exchanges comparable to any international border crossing. He has insisted that the city needs «regular, practical customs operations without additional restrictions». Similarly, the president of the Ceuta Business Owners' Association, Arantxa Campos, expressed hope that the upcoming meetings will produce a «real agreement between the two countries» allowing for fully functional commercial customs so companies can operate consistently. Campos told Europa Press that the current customs arrangement in Ceuta remains «partial» and lacks «sufficient legal certainty», making investors reluctant to engage in import–export operations with Morocco since the first commercial test on February 11. In neighbouring Melilla, the head of the local Businessmen's Association, Enrique Alcoba, voiced hope that the summit would pave the way for progress toward commercial normalization. However, he accused Morocco of trying to «economically strangle Melilla», while «Spain looks the other way».
