Commission under fire over Morocco fisheries agreement

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EU Observer

Commission under fire over Morocco fisheries agreement

09.03.2006 - 17:38 CET

By Aleander Balzan

A proposed fishing agreement between the EU and Morocco is causing
controversy, with opponents to the agreement claiming that it will be
both illegal as well as damaging to UN peace efforts in Western
Sahara.

The Fish Elsewhere organisation, which includes various trade unions
and NGOs from 19 different countries, insist that the agreement must
be amended because it fails to specify the southern limit of Morocco.

This means that the agreement allows Morocco to issue fishing licenses
to European vessels in water which it illegally holds, which is
against international law.

Morocco and Mauritania invaded Western Sahara in 1975, driving the
local Saharawi people from their homes by force. While Mauritania
withdrew its claim to Western Sahara four years later, Morocco
remained.

Fish Elsewhere said the agreement would "set back the 15-year peace
process" managed by the UN.

Nick Dearden, from War on Want, a UK affiliate to Fish Elsewhere
campaign insists "that the EU won't be able to claim at a later date
that it didn't suspect the obvious consequence of this agreement. They
have the evidence and they must amend the agreement"

But EU fisheries commissioner Joe Borg has defended the agreement.

"Morocco is the de facto administrator of Western Sahara. So, the
Commission proposal is in conformity with the legal opinion of the
United Nations issued in January 2002," he said.

Mr Borg also pointed out that, on this issue, the new agreement is the
same as the previous EU-Morocco deal.

The campaigners insist that the Saharawi people have a right to
self-determination.

However, they are facing strong opposition from fishermen, who
consider the proposed agreement a good opportunity.

"This agreement should be ratified without excluding Western Sahara as
with such an agreement both the Saharawi people and the EU fishermen
will benefit," said Henrik Svenberg from the Swedish fishermen's
association.

He added that his association has received requests from Saharawi
producers to increase their vessels in the area as this will improve
the Western Sahara economy.

In the coming weeks both the European Parliament and member states
fisheries ministers are expected to vote on this agreement.

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Source: http://euobserver.com/9/21092