Lisbon (Portugal), October 11, 2024 (SPS) – Concerns over potential violations of European Union laws and regulations have prompted a formal request for investigation by the Left Bloc in the Portuguese Parliament.
On October 8, deputies Marisa Matias and Fabian Figueiredo submitted questions to the Portuguese government regarding two ships flying the Moroccan flag, "Avila 2" and "Argan 2," which were carrying plundered marine products from occupied Western Sahara to Portugal.
The request for an investigation, directed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, follows a report stating that the two ships, owned by a company operated by Portuguese nationals and registered in Morocco, had departed from the occupied port of Dakhla loaded with frozen lobster.
According to the party, the cargo was obtained from the occupied territories in violation of EU regulations.
Despite official claims that the ships were heading to Portugal for repairs, the true purpose of the journey remains unclear, raising suspicions about the legality of their operations.
The parliamentary inquiry seeks clarification on three main points: whether the Portuguese government was aware of the arrival of the two ships in Portugal, what measures it plans to take to investigate the legality of the cargo, and what steps will be implemented to prevent port workers from becoming involved in illegal activities.
This action follows a historic ruling by the European Court of Justice on October 4, which reaffirmed that any trade agreements involving resources from Western Sahara require the consent of the Sahrawi people.
The Left Bloc emphasized that this ruling highlights the gravity of the issue, calling on the government to take swift action to ensure compliance with international law and EU regulations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expected to issue a response to the parliamentary inquiry regarding this matter.