|
Ian Hudghton (Verts/ALE
). –
Mr President, I have become increasingly sceptical over the years I have
been here about the value of fishing agreements in general: usually only a
few of our Member States benefit, while all our taxpayers foot the bill. I
am far from confident that the European Union can properly monitor fishing
activity in these agreements or guarantee that our money ends up where it
should.
However, this agreement has an
added dimension: the absolute right of a people to self-determination, the
right, in this case, of the Saharawi people to control their own
resources. We should not be signing up to any deal with Morocco that
leaves any doubt whatsoever whether Western Saharan waters can be included
by the Moroccan Government.
If Amendments 14 to 18,
restricting the agreement to Moroccan waters only, are approved –
amendments which my group and I have signed – I would consider supporting
this report, otherwise I would have to reject it. |
