EU Court stops EU-Morocco fish deal in Western Sahara

The Court ruled that the EU-Morocco Fisheries Agreement cannot be applied to Western Sahara or its adjacent waters, as that would violate the people of Western Sahara's right to self-determination, and, accordingly, their right to consent to any such agreement that would affect the territory. The Court's press release states that "currently, the greater part of Western Sahara is occupied by Morocco, which considers it to be an integral part of its territory." The Court does not share that Moroccan claim. "Taking account of the fact that the territory of Western Sahara does not form part of the territory of Morocco, the waters adjacent to the territory of WS are not part of the Moroccan fishing zone", says the Court's press release. "If the territory of Western Sahara were to be included within the scope of the Fisheries Agreement, that would be contrary to certain rules of general international law that are applicable in relations between the EU and Kingdom of Morocco, inter alia the principle of self-determination", the press release continues. "The Court concludes that the "Moroccan fishing  zone" under the Protocol does not include the waters  adjacent to the territory of Western Sahara", the Court's press release reads. "The Court therefore holds that, since neither the Fisheries Agreement nor the Protocol thereto are applicable to the waters adjacent to the territory of Western Sahara, the EU acts relating to their conclusion and implementation are valid."