Taipei and Tokyo sign East China Sea fisheries deal
Taipei (AsiaNews) - After 17 years of talks, Taiwan and Japan appear to have reached a fisheries agreement in the East China Sea (东海). Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou expressed his "deep satisfaction" that the long process was over that it had peacefully led to an agreement beneficial to both parties.
The process had begun in 1996 with the parties studying old documents, maritime law and international conventions on fishing in disputed waters.
On Wednesday, Ma Ying-jeou and Mitsuo Ohashi, chairman of the Taipei-based Japan Interchange Association, issued a press release saying that an agreement had been signed the day before.
By virtue of it, Taiwanese and Japanese fishing boats will be able to operate freely in an area of 74,300 km2 around the Diaoyutai Islands (钓鱼台 列 屿), which are controlled by Japan but disputed by others. In fact, President Ma reiterated Taiwan's claim to the islands in the presence of the same Ohashi.
Although neither side has changed position on sovereignty, Taipei and Tokyo have set aside their dispute in order to reach the agreement on fishing rights. Future meetings are scheduled to clarify the sovereignty matter.
The deal gives Taiwanese fishermen an additional 4,530 km2 of fishing grounds, where they can throw their nets without fear of action by Japanese authorities.
According to the president, the signing of the fishery agreement demonstrates that his East China Sea peace initiative-which calls for peaceful means to resolve regional territorial disputes- has received the attention of the Japanese government.
Yesterday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Anna Kao (高 安) said "We absolutely did not back down" on Taiwan's claim to sovereignty over the islands, insisting though that it was also very important to sign a fisheries agreement beneficial to Taiwanese fishermen.Taipei (AsiaNews) - After 17 years of talks, Taiwan and Japan appear to have reached a fisheries agreement in the East China Sea (东海). Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou expressed his "deep satisfaction" that the long process was over that it had peacefully led to an agreement beneficial to both parties.
The process had begun in 1996 with the parties studying old documents, maritime law and international conventions on fishing in disputed waters.
On Wednesday, Ma Ying-jeou and Mitsuo Ohashi, chairman of the Taipei-based Japan Interchange Association, issued a press release saying that an agreement had been signed the day before.
By virtue of it, Taiwanese and Japanese fishing boats will be able to operate freely in an area of 74,300 km2 around the Diaoyutai Islands (钓鱼台 列 屿), which are controlled by Japan but disputed by others. In fact, President Ma reiterated Taiwan's claim to the islands in the presence of the same Ohashi.
Although neither side has changed position on sovereignty, Taipei and Tokyo have set aside their dispute in order to reach the agreement on fishing rights. Future meetings are scheduled to clarify the sovereignty matter.
The deal gives Taiwanese fishermen an additional 4,530 km2 of fishing grounds, where they can throw their nets without fear of action by Japanese authorities.
According to the president, the signing of the fishery agreement demonstrates that his East China Sea peace initiative-which calls for peaceful means to resolve regional territorial disputes- has received the attention of the Japanese government.
Yesterday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Anna Kao (高 安) said "We absolutely did not back down" on Taiwan's claim to sovereignty over the islands, insisting though that it was also very important to sign a fisheries agreement beneficial to Taiwanese fishermen.
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