Swedish minister for trade clarifies that no states in the EU recognise Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, and that therefore products made in the territory cannot be given trade preference under the EU-Morocco trade agreements.
The answer below was given on 4 February 2013 by the Minister for Trade, Ewa Björling in the Swedish parliament. The statement is similar to one given by the Dutch government a few months ago.
2012/13:276 Agricultural produce from Western Sahara
Hans Linde has asked me what initiatives I will undertake to make sure that Sweden clarifies that agricultural products of origin in Western Sahara are not included in the EU's trade agreement with Morocco.
The position of the government relating to Western Sahara is well known. Neither Sweden nor any other EU state has recognised Western Sahara as being part of Morocco. The government therefore do not consider that the EU trade agreements with Morocco are applicable for produce from Western Sahara. This has on numerous occasions been stated by representatives of the Swedish government in EU contexts. I personally raised the matter latest at a meeting with the EU ministries of trade at the 29 November 2012.
(Unofficial translation by Western Sahara Resource Watch.)
These firms want to supply Morocco with energy from occupied land
GE Vernova, Siemens Energy and Larsen & Toubro are among the multinationals that have reportedly expressed interest to aid Morocco transport energy generated in occupied Western Sahara to Morocco proper.
Macron sending French companies into deep waters
At a time when the French government is ignoring all international law in Western Sahara, it places its own companies in serious risk, WSRW warns.
Ryanair announces flights to occupied territory
The Irish airline has announced a new route to Dakhla in “Morocco”, praising the occupying power for its ”support and vision in securing this major investment".
This is how much the EU took from the Saharawis
… in just one year, and under the EU-Morocco trade agreement alone.