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Taiwan, Philippines reach initial consensus on fishery talks

ROC Central News Agency

2013/06/14 23:01:56

Manila, June 14 (CNA) Taiwan and the Philippines on Friday reached an initial consensus during a preparatory meeting for fishery talks between the two countries, a month after Taipei imposed a spate of sanctions again Manila over the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman, sources said.

Both sides agreed that similar incidents such as the shooting of Taiwanese fishing boat, Kuang Ta Hsing No. 28, will never take place again, according to sources close to the discussions.

The ship, while operating in the overlapping exclusive economic zones between the two countries, was sprayed with bullets by Filipino coast guard personnel on May 9, which resulted in the death of 65-year-old Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shih-cheng.

Participants in the meeting also agreed to address the mechanism of no use of force during law enforcement, notification of each other in the event of fishing boat incidents and the immediate release of fishermen and boats detained.

Both sides also communicated fully on the provisional regulations on fishing order, fishing operation and law enforcement procedures under the present situation.

They also agreed to have further discussions during the next consultative meeting.

Participants in Friday's meeting included Taiwan's Deputy Representative to the Philippines Chang Tai-lai, Fisheries Agency Deputy Director- General Tsai Jih-yao, Manila Economic and Cultural Office Chairman Amadeo Perez and Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources director Asis Perez, , as well officials from both countries' foreign ministries and coast guard departments.

Following the May 9 shooting, Taiwan demanded that the Philippines issue a formal apology, compensate Hung's family, punish those who are responsible and start fishery talks to prevent similar incidents from taking place again.

This was the first such meeting on fishery cooperation since the fatal shooting and a goodwill response from Manila on Taiwan's demands for fishery talks, sources said.

(By Emerson Lim and Lilian Wu)