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As scheduled, the European Parliament Committee on Fisheries heard Tuesday, October the 9th, representatives from Morocco and the Polisario to discuss the draft fisheries agreement.
During the session held at the European Parliament, the European Commission missed the presentation of Mohamed Sidati, the Front’s «delegate minister for Europe». However, the EU body took part in the debate that brought MEPs and members of the Moroccan delegation together, reports Spanish news agency EFE.
The absence of the Jean-Claude Junker’s institution can be interpreted as a response for the Front which refused to accept an invitation sent to examine the fisheries agreement signed with Morocco in July.
During the meeting, the Polisario called the EU to respect the ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), issued on the 27th of February. Moreover, Mohamed Sidati invited the European Union, again, to hold direct negotiations with the Polisario for the renewal of the fisheries agreement. «If there is no agreement with us, we will take all necessary actions», he threatened.
The European Commission’s positive comments
On the other hand, the European Commission took the opportunity of Tuesday’s meeting in the European Parliament to present its own interpretation of the CJEU’s ruling. «The ruling does not suggest that the agreement cannot cover the Sahara», said the body’s representative.
«The parties involved see that the Sahrawi people benefit from this agreement. There are also some positive reviews. We heard all the legitimate voices of those interested in the agreement. At the time it was signed, we had solid evidence that we respect the ruling» of the CJEU, he added.
For the record, Brussels consulted in the previous months Sahrawi people in Rabat and Laayoune who support the treaty.
Before European ships join Morocco’s Atlantic waters, the European Parliament and the Council of Europe need to approve the draft agreement.
