María Jesús Montero defends Málaga’s bid to host the European Customs Authority before the European Parliament

The Diplomat The First Vice-President of the Government and Minister of Finance, María Jesús Montero, appeared before the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday to defend Málaga's bid to host the future European Customs Authority (EUCA). During her address, in which she was accompanied by the Mayor of Málaga, Francisco de la Torre, Montero asserted that the Andalusian city offers a "solid, rigorous, and attractive" bid, possessing "the best technical and logistical conditions" and the highest guarantees of "security, solvency, and efficiency." She also highlighted the "unanimous" commitment of all Spanish public administrations. This appearance before the European Parliament follows the presentation of Málaga's bid to host the EUCA at the headquarters of the Permanent Representation of Spain to the European Union (REPER) last December. Both at that event and this Wednesday, the Minister of Finance highlighted several positive aspects of the bid, such as its favorable geostrategic location, a state-of-the-art communications network, exceptional digital connectivity, the economic and technological dynamism of the region, excellent public services, educational centers and hospitals, and the high quality of life offered by the city of Málaga. María Jesús Montero also emphasized “the excellence of the Spanish Tax Agency, an international benchmark in the modernization and digitization of procedures,” according to a press release from the Ministry. This experience “can contribute to the implementation and establishment of the EUCA in the capital of the Costa del Sol,” the Ministry added. Along with Málaga, other European cities have also submitted bids. The selection of the headquarters for this Customs Authority is a joint decision of the Council and the European Parliament, based on criteria established by the European Commission. Joint voting will then take place in both institutions, scheduled for February 2026, at which time the city chosen to host the European Customs Authority is expected to be announced.

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