Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans has welcomed the European Parliament's rejection of a controversial agreement with Morocco. The MEP said that extending the EU Morocco Fisheries Agreement would be in violation of international law.

The agreement allows EU registered boats to fish in Western Saharan waters, even though this territory has been under illegal occupation by Morocco since the 1970s.

Legal advice from the UN stated that Morocco had no right to sell access to Western Saharan waters without consulting the local population, or proving that it would be of benefit to local people. The Polisario Front, the internationally recognised representatives of the people of Western Sahara, have consistently opposed the Fisheries Agreement. The agreement is worth more than thirty five million euros. Jill Evans MEP voted against the agreement.

Jill Evans Evans MEP said,

"The European Parliament's legal services have concluded that the agreement is in violation of international law and a European Commission evaluation has concluded that the agreement is a waste of taxpayers' money. I therefore am very pleased with today's outcome."

Ends.