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Rabat – EU High Representative Josep Borrell has rejected a hostile request made by pro-Polisario member of the European Parliament (MEP) Ana Miranda, who called for the establishment of a “Western Sahara task force” within the European External Action Service (EEAS).
Pro-Polisario MEP Miranda requested the establishment of the task force, claiming that the Western Sahara region “constitutes a non-self-governing territory.” EEAS is a body that manages the European Union’s diplomatic relations with non-EU countries.
Miranda is among the most vocal supporters of the Polisario Front, a separatist group claiming independence for and challenge Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over Western Sahara.
On Tuesday, Borrell responded and rejected the MEP’s request, stressing that modifications to the EEAs chart are “not foreseen.”
The high representative also renewed the EU’s position on Western Sahara, supporting the centrality of the UN-led political process to find a mutually and an agreed-upon solution to the Western Sahara dispute.
“The position of the EU with regard to the question of Western Sahara is well known and remains unchanged. The EU strongly supports the efforts made by the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy Staffan de Mistura to continue the political process aiming to reach a just, realistic, pragmatic, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution to the issue of the Western Sahara.”
The EU official also reaffirmed support for the Personal Envoy and his efforts aiming to relaunch the negotiation process, convening the four parties to the dispute.
Miranda has a history of hostile maneuvers that have challenged Morocco’s territorial integrity. The MEP was also part of an EU Parliamentary delegation that traveled to Tindouf, Algeria in January.
During the controversial visit, which also included MEP Miguel Orban, the European parliamentary Intergroup of Solidarity with the separatist group also expressed hostility towards Spain’s endorsement of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the most serious and credible basis to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
Many MEPs have been intensifying hostilities and maneuvers, targeting Morocco. One of the latest maneuvers was the MEPs decision to vote on a resolution, accusing Morocco of “intimidating” and “harassing” activists and journalists.
MEPs, including Miranda, are also pushing for the adoption of more hostile resolutions, including one accusing Morocco of “lobbying” and of “attempts to influence Parliament’s Members, former Members, and staff through acts of corruption.”
Denying the accusations, Morocco has frequently reiterated its condemnation of the ongoing maneuvers and hostile campaigns by MEPs and the European Parliament.
The North African country also rejected the EP’s interference in its judiciary system, stressing that such actions reflect MEPs’ hostility towards Morocco’s diplomatic gains – particularly the growing support for its sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara and territorial integrity and growing influence.
