Morocco fisheries deal near

By David Cronin

Date: 11/05/06

The European Parliament will next week endorse a EUR 36 million-per-year fisheries deal with Morocco that would allow EU boats to fish in the waters surrounding the disputed territory of Western Sahara.

Doubts about whether MEPs would approve the agreement have been removed following a legal opinion issued by the assembly's development committee. Lawyers advising the Parliament said that fishing in Western Saharan waters will not breach international law, provided that Morocco ensures that revenues from fishing contribute to the welfare of the indigenous Saharawi people.

Morocco has occupied Western Sahara since its colonial overlord Spain withdrew in 1976. An armed conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for Western Sahara, ensued. While fighting ended in 1991, the United Nations has still not brokered an agreement on the territory's final status. Under international law, Western Sahara is considered a non-self- governing territory, with Morocco its de facto administrator.

Article reports that the European Parliament was expected to endorse a €36 million-per-year fisheries deal with Morocco that would allow EU boats to fish in the waters surrounding the disputed territory of Western Sahara. Morocco has occupied Western Sahara since its colonial overlord Spain withdrew in 1976, a fact which had raised legal doubts concerning the Fisheries Agreement. The European Parliament's Fisheries Committee (PECH) had adopted a report on the agreement on 3 May 2006.