She said that Wathelet based his non-binding opinion on erroneous information. Citing legal experts, Hadzhieva said the Sahara is not an “occupied territory” as Wathelet wishes to call it. Hence, invalidating the EU-Morocco fisheries agreement will inflict serious losses on the EU and bring confusion to the functioning of the ECJ, she said, warning of the perils of the EU court interfering in international agreements signed by the EU. Therefore, scrutinizing international treaties (which are of the order of international law), exceeds the remit of the ECJ which is not entitled to assume the role of the international court of justice. The ECJ meddling in the fisheries deal, whose negotiation was green lighted by the European Council and the Moroccan government, could also undermine the negotiations led by the UN and toughen the stance of the concerned parties, she warned.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 22, 2018 16:07 UTC