Brussels, June 11, 2017 (SPS) - Euro-MP Paloma Lopez warned the European Union of the consequences of the continued plundering of Western Sahara’s natural resources, calling it to take the necessary measures so that the member states, notably Spain, prevent this illegal exploitation in accordance with the international and European law.
In a written question sent to the European Commission, the Euro deputy wondered about the measures that have been taken by the European executive to ensure that the Spanish authorities prevent the confiscation of Western Sahara’s natural resources and to comply with the international law and recent decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).
In a judgement delivered on 21 December 2016, CJEU concluded that the association and liberalization agreements between EU and Morocco do not apply to Western Sahara because of the distinct and separate status guaranteed in the territory of Western Sahara in accordance with the charter of the United Nations and the principle of peoples’ right to self-determination.
In this regard, Paloma Lopez suggested the seizure of the ships transporting the products coming from Western Sahara insofar as these products cannot be imported in EU without the prior consent of the Sahrawi people in accordance with the international law applicable to the non-self governing territories and CJEU’s decision delivered on 21 December 2016. (SPS)
062/090/700