Brussels, February 27, 2015 (SPS) -A parliamentary group called "Intergroup Peace in Western Sahara", made of 119 MEPs representing a wide range of political movements and groups was set up Tuesday at the European Parliament in Brussels.
The setting-up ceremony took place in the presence of Saharawi Minister for Relations with Europe Mohamed Sidati, President of the European Conference for support and solidarity with the Saharawi people (EUCOCO) Pierre Galand and and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
This alliance of MEPs will have a permanent structure within the European Parliament and will mark its presence in the Chamber through various activities such as the release of reports and communications and information missions.
The president of EUCOCO and MEPs present at the inaugural meeting of the Intergroup welcomed the setting-up of this Intergroup "despite obstacles and maneuvers of Morocco and its relays in the European Parliament to vainly undermine" any initiative meant to ensure the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination.
In their testimonies, participants stressed that this new step represents a "stinging defeated" of the Moroccan diplomacy and a "scathing disavowal of its strategy to stifle any form of expression of support for the cause of the Saharawi people and their patient and perseverant quest for the exercise of their inalienable right to self-determination."
In this regard, they denounced the "deceptive discourse of certain MEPs, headed by French Socialist Gilles Pargneaux" who had introduced "fanciful amendments" to the Parliament's draft report on the 2013 annual report of the High Representative of the European Union (EU) on the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).
Members of the Intergroup unanimously condemned the "provocative action" of Morocco through its initiative to hold a session of the Crans Montana Forum in the occupied city of Dakhla.
They stated this attempt was "contrary to international law and was to endorse the colonial fait accompli in a territory over which Morocco's sovereignty is not recognized by any state in the world".
For his part, Galand confirmed he has visited several times the Tindouf camps and maintains regular contact in this context.
He said that humanitarian assistance is well organized in the camps and the interviewed refugees expressed satisfaction about the distribution of aid. (SPS)
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