These Are Morocco's Losses Against the 'Polisario' if Europe Withdraw From the Trade Agreement
It seems that the conflict between Morocco and the "Polisario Front" over “Western Sahara” will take a new turn. The two sides are awaiting a European court ruling on the legality of economic agreements concluded by Rabat with the EU countries, amid expectations that Morocco will lose a lot of money.
The Spanish newspaper "Publico" said: "The Polisario Front is awaiting a ruling from the European Court of Justice, which may decide to invalidate the trade agreement between the European Union and Morocco, held since July 2019.
This agreement allows Morocco to export natural resources and agricultural products produced in Western Sahara to the European Union.
Since 1971, Western Sahara has witnessed a conflict between the "Polisario Front" and Morocco, and while Rabat considers that region part of its territory, the Front demands autonomy for the Sahara.
The Spanish daily said, "It seems that the position adopted by the court in the French city of (Strasbourg) could carry the Sahrawis direct recognition of the region's resources."
The newspaper quoted the lawyer of the "Polisario Front" before the European Union, Manuel Devers, as saying: "I am waiting for a positive decision in favor of the Polisario, and also beneficial to the coffers of Europe."
Billions for Brussels
In an interview with Spanish activists and the Polisario’s lawyer confirmed that "with this expected decision, the European Commission will recover its customs duties on agriculture, by about (6.6 million euros) annually, and (30 million euros) annually in the fisheries case."
He added: "These issues should concern European citizens; it is the money that the EU coffers lack in Brussels."
The newspaper pointed out that "(52 million euros) is added by the European Union to Morocco every year to be able to fish in the waters adjacent to Western Sahara, from which 90 percent of marine products come."
The newspaper noted that the Polisario Front places its hopes on the ruling of the European Court, which had warned the European Union in 2019 against signing its agreement with Morocco.
According to the Spanish "Publico", the Polisario believes that the court's ruling "opens the way for Europe to recognize the front and consider it a legitimate interlocutor regarding the resources of Western Sahara," hinting at the possibilities of the European Union concluding agreements with the "Polisario".
Moroccan Losses
The Spanish newspaper quoted the representative of the "Polisario Front" in Spain, Abdullah Arabi, as saying: "International law is at stake, and as long as the conflict is not resolved, the Sahrawi remains the owner of this wealth."
The newspaper noted that the words of the front's official accuse Morocco of "exploiting the land and water in the Sahara, cultivating it and settling Moroccans in it"
The newspaper pointed out that Morocco has established an agricultural store to export tomatoes and watermelons in the desert region of Dakhla, and export them to Europe, while Morocco's exports of tomatoes amount to about 14 percent of that region, according to the research of the "Mendo Bat" organization.
According to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Hilal Elvir, agricultural exports provide 14,000 job opportunities in Dakhla.
The newspaper confirmed that Morocco has owned the "Les Domaines Agricole" company, in "Dakhla" since the late 1980s, which provides a large part of the city's tomato and watermelon production.
"Publico" quoted the researcher at Mendo Bat, Jesus Garcia Longos saying that building this empire of companies has a decisive weight for Morocco, not only from an economic point of view, but also from a strategic point of view.
According to the researcher, agricultural activity in Western Sahara "has a special value for Morocco, which seeks to develop policies to attract foreign investment and export to Europe."
