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EU considers Western Sahara as non-self-governing territory

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Brussels, Jan 29, 2015 (SPS) - The European Union, through its High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, considers Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory and the Kingdom of Morocco as the de facto administering power.


Questioned last 27th January by a MEP on the labeling of products from Western Sahara occupied territories, Mogherini recalled the consistent position of the European Commission on the matter, stating “the EU fully adheres to UN positions,” which considers Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory and the Kingdom of Morocco as a de facto administering power.


The EU foreign policy chief said that “although neither the Association Agreement nor the agricultural agreement with Morocco in 2012, do not provide specific rules concerning the requirements for products labeling, the European Commission has set up a monitoring mechanism.”


It monitors the implementation of the EU-Morocco Association Agreement in its components related to fishing and agriculture, as part of agriculture and fisheries subcommittee.


The vice-President of the Committee for foreign affairs and security policy had repeatedly expressed before MEPs, support for a solution providing self-determination to Western Sahara people, based on the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.


Inscribed since 1963 on the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories, and therefore eligible for the application of UN Resolution 1514 containing a declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, Sahara Western, last colony in Africa, is occupied by Morocco since 1975. (SPS)


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