Nordic MEPs have condemned Morocco’s hiring of Danish firm Rud Pedersen for promoting the illicit exploitation of Sahrawi resources, placing the firm on a blacklist. They emphasize the moral and legal violations of working with an occupying power and call for unified opposition in the European Parliament against such actions.
On March 12, 2025, Nordic members of the European Parliament (MEPs) publicly condemned Morocco’s hiring of the Danish consulting firm Rud Pedersen (RP) for promoting the illegal exploitation of Sahrawi fishery and agricultural products in Europe. They announced their decision to enter RP onto a blacklist due to its involvement with Morocco, declaring: “We urge you to sever all direct or indirect ties with the illegal and immoral occupation of Western Sahara and its people. Until you do so, you will remain on our blacklist.”
Prominent leftist MEPs, including Per Clausen, Hanna Gedin, Jonas Sjöstedt, and Jussi Saramo, expressed their dismay at RP’s actions, stating that supporting an occupying power is “morally indefensible” and destabilizes global relations. They revealed their initial expectation that RP would uphold ethical standards, noting their disappointment upon discovering its lobbying for Morocco’s controversial trade agreements with the European Union.
The MEPs highlighted the findings of Africa Intelligence, which indicated that Morocco engaged RP to assist with lobbying in Brussels on matters linked to trade and fishing agreements. They criticized RP for promoting agreements involving resources from Western Sahara, which the EU and UN recognize as illegal. They underscored the importance of a ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union that annulled prior fishing agreements involving Western Sahara, emphasizing that products from illegal occupations should not figure in trade deals with the EU.
Furthermore, the Nordic representatives reiterated that Morocco’s actions regarding Western Sahara are illegal, as classified by the UN. They condemned the exploitation of this territory and declared their commitment as leftist politicians to oppose such actions vehemently.
In a strong statement directed at Rud Pedersen, the MEPs affirmed: “What you are doing—indirectly representing an occupying power through its commercial interests—is immoral and contradicts Nordic values and standards.” They made it clear that as long as RP continued to advocate for Morocco’s interests, they would refuse to engage with the firm on any matters.
The Nordic lawmakers are advocating for wider support among their colleagues in the European Parliament, aiming to establish a unified stance against those who endorse occupations. They believe that those supporting such actions should not be welcomed in the European Parliament.
In summary, Nordic MEPs have taken a strong stance against the Danish consulting firm Rud Pedersen for its involvement with Morocco concerning the illicit exploitation of Western Saharan resources. They have blacklisted the firm, stressing the moral implications of working for an occupying power. The lawmakers urge for a collective approach in the European Parliament to reject support for occupations, emphasizing adherence to international law and ethical standards in business practices.
Original Source: al24news.com
