"The Commission's proposal to extend the illegal EU-Morocco fisheries partnership agreement exposed its own inconsistencies and contradictions - MEPs have rightly rejected it" Portuguese GUE/NGL MEP João Ferreira said today welcoming a European Parliament vote to refuse extending the pact.

"Under international law this is an illegal agreement. It involves the exploitation of a natural resource in Western Sahara over which Morocco has no sovereignty. By including the waters of Western Sahara, this agreement violates international law and all relevant resolutions of the General Assembly of the United Nations, in particular 2009's resolution on the interests of peoples of non-autonomous territories."

Ferreira criticised the fact that the legitimate representatives of the Sahrawi people were never consulted and have been completely ignored throughout this process.

"Fisheries agreements with third countries must result from the free expression of the sovereign will of the countries and peoples involved, and not provide coverage for the plundering of natural resources, as has happened here."

"Parliament stood up against this bad proposal. The Commission must now open of a process of dialogue with the legitimate representatives of the Sahrawi people that are participating in ongoing negotiations within the UN."

GUE/NGL Press Contacts:

David Lundy +32 485 50 58 12

Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20

david.lundy@europarl.europa.eu

gabrielle.kavanagh@europarl.europa.eu

European United Left / Nordic Green Left

European Parliamentary Group

www.guengl.eu