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POLISARIO is a Sahrawi rebel national liberation movement working for the independence of Western Sahara from Morocco. (Photo: Stock File/FIS)

POLISARIO rebutes Spanish proposal over Moroccan fisheries agreement

Click on the flag for more information about Spain SPAIN
Thursday, February 10, 2011, 04:50 (GMT + 9)

Mohamed Beissat, the acting  POLISARIO representative to the European Union (EU), has condemned Spain's proposal to extend the EU’s "illegal fisheries" in Western Saharan waters, which he believes to be a former Spanish colony occupied illegally by Morocco.

This comes as a legal report by the European Parliament (EP) determined that the agreement was not respecting international law, because the Saharawi population was not receiving financial contributions from the EU, so they have asked the Moroccan government to present evidence showing that the agreement also benefits native people.

Speaking in Brussels, Beissat said that “we are shocked and disappointed by the announcement yesterday from Spanish Environment Minister Rosa Aguilar that Spain wants the 27 democratic member states of the EU to extend this illegal arrangement between the EU and Morocco."

“Not one country in the EU or anywhere else in the world recognises Moroccan claims over Western Sahara”, claimed Beissat, basing his opinions on the UN Legal Adviser and the European Parliament’s Legal Service which state that fishing by EU vessels in Western Saharan waters is illegal.

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“Any new or extended agreement on current terms cannot cure this basic illegality. The Spanish government, and Minister Aguilar in particular, are effectively choosing plunder over principle, and tarnishing the EU’s reputation worldwide. We cannot rule out the possibility of a challenge at the UN or in the international courts,” he continued.

Beissats claims come just days after the European Commission (EC) was rumored to propose an extension on the current fisheries agreement with Morocco "for a limited time" to allow the EU fleet to continue fishing in Moroccan waters.

The current agreement expires on 27 February and Brussels seeks its temporary extension, as this would result in "more time to gather and discuss the information presented by Morocco," European sources told the EFE news agency.

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If the agreement expires, Spanish vessels would have to stop their activities, which is of a significant financial detriment to workers in the industry as Spain is the main beneficiary of the agreement signed with Morocco, due to 100 of the 119 licenses awarded to the EU fleet being owned by Spanish vessels.

As the POLISARIO representative states, the head of the Ministry of Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs (MARM) of Spain, Rosa Aguilar, also requested an extension "for at least one year," with the aim of ensuring the permanence of the country's fleet fishing in Moroccan waters.

As Aguilar stressed: "At the moment it is no longer possible to discuss new arrangements. The important thing is an extension to allow enough time to look forward, with confidence and a broad perspective-"

Related articles:

- Fishing associations call upon EU to renew fisheries agreement with Morocco
-
Spain calls on EC to extend fishing agreement with Morocco
-
EC proposes extention of fishing agreement with Morocco

By Brian Loubet Jambert
editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media


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