het net gaat zich sluiten

Marokko doet alsof de Westelijke Sahara bij Marokko hoort. Dat is niet zo en daardoor ontstaan dus problemen. De visserijovereenkomst tussen Europa en Marokko geeft daar een voorbeeld van. Van Marokko mogen Europese schepen vissen in Saharaanse wateren maar dat bleek na onderzoek onwettig. De termijn waarvoor de visserijovereenkomst was afgesloten liep af in februari. Na veel geheimzinnig gedoe is de overeenkomst voorlopig verlengd met een jaar, hoewel onder andere Nederland daar tegen heeft gestemd. Het Europees parlement moet de verlenging nog goedkeuren. Maar er is ook nog een Europees Hof van Justitie. Twee euro parlementariërs, de heren Romeva en Duff, verzamelen op het moment handtekeningen van leden van het Parlement onder een ontwerpresolutie waarin wordt verzocht het vraagstuk van de EU-Marokko visserijovereenkomst voor te leggen aan het Europees Hof van Justitie.


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European Parliament resolution requesting an opinion from the Court of Justice on the compatibility of the Protocol [Renewal of Moroccan Fisheries Agreement] with the Treaties


The European Parliament,

– having regard to Articles 3(5) and 21 of the Treaty on European Union,
– having regard to Article 218(6) and (11) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
– having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 764/2006 of 22 May 2006 on the conclusion of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Kingdom of Morocco (OJ L 141, 29.5.2006, p.1.1),
- having regard to the Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of a Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial compensation provided for in the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco (COM(2011) 313 final) and the request by the Council for the consent of the European Parliament,
– having regard to Rule 90(6) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the first Protocol on the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Kingdom of Morocco expired on 28 February 2011,

B. whereas a new Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial compensation provided for in the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco was signed on 13 July 2011,

C. whereas the conclusion of the new Protocol requires the consent of the European Parliament before it can be finally adopted by the Council,

D. whereas the application of the new Protocol extends to the waters off the coast of Western Sahara, which territory has been on the United Nations list of Non-Self Governing Territories since 1963,

E. whereas, in order to comply with international law, economic activities related to the natural resources of a Non-Self-Governing Territory must be carried out for the benefit of the people of such a Territory, and in accordance with their wishes; whereas it has not been demonstrated that the Union's financial contribution is used for the benefit of the people of Western Sahara;

E. whereas, in order to comply with international law, economic activities related to the natural resources of a Non-Self-Governing Territory must be carried out for the benefit of the people of such a Territory, and in accordance with their wishes; whereas it has not been demonstrated that the Union's financial contribution is used for the benefit of the people of Western Sahara;

F. whereas these obligations bind not only Morocco but also the Union as the primary beneficiary of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement and its Protocol,

1. Considers that there is legal uncertainty as to whether the new Protocol respects international law with regard to the socio-economic interests and the exploitation of the natural resources of the Non-Self-Governing Territory of Western Sahara, and thus whether it is compatible with the Treaties in this respect;

2. Decides to seek an opinion from the Court of Justice on the compatibility of the abovementioned Protocol with the Treaties;

3. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission for information and to take the necessary measures to obtain such an opinion from the Court of Justice