Strasbourg, Dec 11, 2013 (SPS) - Finland has abstained from supporting the European Council decision’s to sign the new Fisheries Agreement with Morocco, emphasizing that such agreement must "take into account the interests and opinion of the people in Western Sahara."
In its statement during the European Parliament’s deliberation on this agreement, Finland stated: "in accordance with the principles of international law, including the right to self-determination, permanent sovereignty over natural resources and the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Finland emphasizes the need to take into account the interests and opinion of the people in Western Sahara."
It also added that the economic gains resulting from the implementation of the Protocol "should benefit the people in Western Sahara region." (SPS)
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