"In my opinion, we cannot vote for an agreement that is in violation of international law", Swedish minister of agriculture, Eskil Erlandsson, stated in parliament this afternoon regarding tomorrow's vote in the Council of Ministers. More states are expected to follow, in trying to stop the continued illegal and unethical EU fisheries agreement in occupied Western Sahara.
"I will seek a mandate from the Swedish parliament to vote no for this agreement. In my opinion, we cannot vote for an agreement that is in violation of international law. I hope the parliament can give me such a mandate", Swedish Minister of Agriculture, Eskil Erlandsson, stated in Swedish parliament today.
"Regarding the agreement with Morocco, it is obvious for me that all EU agreements, including fisheries agreements, shall be in accordance with international law. This applies naturally also for EU's fisheries agreement with Morocco. Therefore, one year ago, I wrote to Fisheries Commissioner Damanaki, asking for an analysis regarding the environmental, financial and social effect of the agreement, as well as whether the agreement fulfils the prerequites of international law. I have also brought up this issue in a number of meetings with the Commissioner. Without, so far, any statement showing that the fisheries agreement with Morocco is in line with international law, and that the people of Western Sahara are benefiting from it, I see it as very hard to accept a continuation of the fisheries", the minister said.
"Without these analysis, we will not vote for a continuation", he stated.
The EU considers to pay Morocco to fish in occupied Western Sahara. An EU-Morocco Fisheries Agreement from 2013 would be both politically controversial and in violation of international law.
The international Fish Elsewhere! campaign demands the EU to avoid such unethical operations, and go fishing somewhere else. No fishing in Western Sahara should take place until the conflict is solved.
