Daniel Calleja, a lawyer with the European Commission, has debunked Polisario’s accusations and maneuvers seeking to undermine the EU-Morocco agreements – particularly the fisheries deal.
Calleja made his remarks during hearings to determine the validity of the trade and fisheries agreement between the EU and Morocco, according to Spanish news outlet El Independiente.
In his plea, Calleja debunked and dismantled the Polisario’s claims to be the legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people.
In his plea, the lawyer stressed that Polisario lacks an administrative structure to implement a trade and fishing agreement, stressing Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara.
“Morocco is the only one capable of ensuring fishing activities and their sustainability. The agreements require that there be authorities capable of certifying the origin of exports,” the lawyer said.
Calleja also warned against the suspension of the EU Morocco agreements, emphasizing that such a move would hinder the economic development of the Western Sahara region.
He detailed that such deals benefit the population in the southern provinces in terms of job creation and improvement of the region’s infrastructure.
A group of other lawyers stressed the same arguments, including European Council lawyer Frederik Naert and the lawyer representing Spain in the case, Andrea Gavela.
Gavela emphasized that the EU or and its courts should not interfere in the UN-led political process with regards to the Western Sahara dispute.
“Spain upholds the central role of the United Nations in seeking a lasting, just, and mutually acceptable solution for the Sahara, ” the lawyer said, emphasizing that the Polisario is not entitled to consider itself directly or indirectly affected by the agreement.
The final verdict with regards to the EU-Morocco fisheries agreement will not be announced until June of next year.
The Spanish government has been defending the fisheries agreements, stressing the importance of the agreement for Spain and Morocco.
Earlier this year, Spain’s Minister of Agriculture Luis Planas Puchades stressed the need to continue working on research and technical aspects to facilitate the conclusion of a new protocol that will sustain the fisheries agreement for the next four years.
The fisheries deal was established for a four-year period from 2019 to 2023, and expired on July 17.
The future of the agreement is still in peril amid lack of a political census on its renewal.
Earlier this year, Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita said that the Moroccan government is engaged in discussions with three key parameters being considered.
The first parameter is of a “doctrinal nature,” emphasizing that the agreement needs to be aligned with Morocco’s foreign policy.
Morocco will also take into consideration the deal’s impact on the country’s vision for the sector’s development, Bourita said. He emphasized that the discussions will not only shape the future direction of cooperation between Morocco and the EU, but also Morocco’s foreign policy with the bloc.
Source: Morocco World News
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