EU Sparks Controversy With Western Sahara Plans
The European Commission has sparked controversy with its plans for Western Sahara. It aims to use a past ECJ ruling to presume Sahrawi consent for resource use, a move disputed by Western Sahara Resource Watch. Meanwhile, the EU plans to boost humanitarian aid to Sahrawi refugees in Algeria.
The Commission has submitted a draft trade agreement between the EU and Morocco, set to be voted on by member states. Critics argue that the agreement was negotiated secretly with Morocco, excluding the Sahrawi people and disregarding their right to self-determination. This move is at odds with UN listings and previous European court rulings that deny Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.
The EU plans to invest in infrastructure projects in the occupied territories, including energy, irrigation, and education programs. However, activists have criticized the lack of time given for member states to review the draft's legality and compliance with human rights. The Commission's swift negotiation process, completed in just five days, has also raised questions about secrecy and speed.
The European Commission's plans for Western Sahara, including presuming Sahrawi consent for resource use and negotiating a trade agreement with Morocco, have been met with criticism. The EU must address concerns about the rights of the Sahrawi people and the process of negotiation to ensure fairness and compliance with international law.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
