VP/HR — EU policy of non-recognition

31.1.2018

Question for written answer E-000549-18
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Ivan Štefanec (PPE) , Jana Žitňanská (ECR)

The European External Action Service has a policy of non-recognition which it applies to Crimea and Sevastopol. On 21 December 2016 the Court of Justice of the European Union clearly stated that Western Sahara has a ‘separate and distinct’ status to any territory in the world, including Morocco. On 10 January 2018 the Advocate General of the Court stated that the EU has violated its duty of non-recognition in Western Sahara through the Fisheries Partnership Agreement with Morocco.

Can the VP/HR explain why it does not apply the policy of non-recognition to Western Sahara?