Copenhagen, February 24th, 2010

Commenting on the European Parliament’s Legal Service report, which concluded that EU fisheries in occupied Western Sahara under its current shape are in violation of international law, Mr. Soren Sondergaard, Danish Member of the European Parliament and member Bureau of the Confederal Group of the European United left-Nordic Green left in the European Parliament said:

"It is a disgrace that the Union plunders an occupied country's natural resources. If the Commission does not immediately stop the EU's fishing off Western Sahara, Parliament must take its own solemn words and seriously threaten the Commission with a vote of no confidence", stated Mr. Sondergaard.

The Information Officer of Danish NGO Afrika Kontakt, Mr. Morten Nielsen with this regard said:

“The new Danish Foreign Affairs Minister, Ms. Lene Espersen should press for the amendment of the EU-Morocco Fisheries Agreement so that, as a minimum is in accordance with International Conventions and the EU’s own regulations.”

Mr. Nielsen asked the Minister to make sure that no Danish fishing vessels are active in the occupied Western Sahara.