Nordic MEPs Blacklist Rud Pedersen for Promoting Moroccan Occupation

Nordic MEPs have blacklisted the Danish consulting firm Rud Pedersen for its engagement with Morocco to promote the exploitation of Sahrawi resources. They emphasize that collaborating with an occupying power is morally unacceptable and undermines global stability. The lawmakers recall relevant EU court rulings and urge all EU institutions to detach from such unethical practices.

On March 12, 2025, Nordic Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) publicly condemned Morocco’s engagement of the Danish consulting firm, Rud Pedersen (RP), accusing it of promoting the illegal exploitation of Sahrawi resources. The MEPs declared their intent to blacklist RP, urging it to sever ties with Morocco’s occupation of Western Sahara. They emphasized that any collaboration with an occupying power is morally unacceptable and undermines global stability.

Leftist MEPs, including Per Clausen, Hanna Gedin, Jonas Sjöstedt, and Jussi Saramo, expressed their disappointment, noting they had expected RP to maintain ethical standards. Their condemnation was fueled by revelations from non-governmental organizations regarding RP’s lobbying efforts for controversial trade and fishing agreements with the European Union (EU).

The MEPs highlighted concerns raised by Africa Intelligence about RP’s connection with the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), which has ties to the Moroccan government. They reported that RP had claimed to lobby on trade and agriculture for Morocco, specifically regarding the controversial agreements involving Western Sahara, which the EU and UN do not recognize as legal.

Moreover, the Nordic legislators referenced the significant ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union, which annulled previous fishing agreements that unlawfully included occupied Western Sahara’s resources. They firmly stated that trade agreements must exclude goods from illegally occupied territories, reiterating that Morocco’s occupation is illegal according to the UN’s classification of Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory.

The MEPs strongly admonished RP for indirectly representing an occupying power, stating that such actions contradict Nordic values. Therefore, they declared their refusal to engage with RP on any matter. The lawmakers encouraged their colleagues in the European Parliament to adopt a similar stance, expressing their conviction that individuals or organizations supporting occupation shall not be welcomed within EU institutions.

In conclusion, Nordic MEPs have taken a firm stand against the engagement of Rud Pedersen by Morocco for lobbying purposes. By declaring the firm as blacklisted, they highlight the moral implications of working with an occupying power. The MEPs have called for heightened awareness and encourage similar actions among their colleagues to ensure that support for illegal occupations is not tolerated within the European Parliament.

Original Source: al24news.com