Legality of EU agreements

19.3.2015

Question for written answer E-004489-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
James Carver (EFDD)

I have previously tabled written questions on the legality of agreements between the EU and Morocco in relation to Western Sahara. The Commission has stated that, in its view, all the agreements are in line with international law, as they do not ‘disregard the needs, interests and benefits of the people of Western Sahara’.

1. Can the Commission clarify explicitly how the agreements benefit the people of Western Sahara, and what measures it has in place to assess the impact of the agreements?

2. In light of the publication[1] of an expert legal opinion questioning the legality of the EU’s agreements with Morocco over the lack of an explicit reference to Western Saharan waters, would the Commission care to comment and clarify its position?

• [1] http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/legality-eu-morocco-fisheries-agreement-questioned-312385