The European Parliament's new legal opinion states that Morocco has never claimed an Exclusive Economic Zone over the waters off Western Sahara. Read the full text of the opinion here.
The Legal Opinion, shared with the European Parliamentarians on Monday, focuses on three different questions.
1. Has Morocco declared an exclusive economic zone off the waters of Western Sahara?
2. If not, would Morocco have the legal basis upon which to make a claim of an EEZ there, and what would it be?
3. If not, what is the legal requirement for the EU to pay for fishing in international waters?
Read the EP legal service's analysis of those questions here.
This is the follow up of the previous legal opinion which established that the wishes and the interests of the Saharawi people are paramount. Those references are no longer present in the current text.
Here is the EU Council's legal advice on fishing in occupied waters
EU Court reaffirms position on Western Sahara
Polisario has a case, but it should be pursued when the time is right, Court implies.
EU Court confirms: Western Sahara not part of EU-Morocco fish deal
For the third time, the highest Court of the European Union has confirmed that Morocco has no sovereignty over Western Sahara. In its new ruling dated 19 July 2018, the Court confirms that the EU's fisheries agreement with Morocco cannot be applied to the territory.
EU Court advocate: Fish agreement invalid for including Western Sahara
In an opinion issued this morning, the Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the EU stated that the EU-Morocco Fisheries Agreement is invalid because it applies to Western Sahara waters. Judgement expected in a few months.
Read reaction from Frente Polisario on the opinion.