The Philippines and Taiwan may soon forge a fisheries agreement that could help resolve the current dispute between the two countries, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said on Thursday.
Alcala noted that a technical working group (TWG) consisting of members from both countries is laying the groundwork for a possible fisheries agreement.
“But for now, it would be best not to hurry the proceedings because the situation is still sensitive,” Alcala told reporters, citing that the TWG meetings are expected to commence in June or July.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is under the Department of Agriculture.
Alcala added that the TWG will likewise define the territorial boundaries between Philippine and Taiwanese waters to prevent overlapping.
On Tuesday, President Benigno S.C. Aquino said that the country is open to discuss a fisheries agreement with Taiwan, but only after resolving its diplomatic row with Taipei, triggered by the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman in disputed waters earlier this month.
The President issued an apology for the incident, but this was rejected by Taiwan, claiming that it lacked sincerity. Taipei stopped hiring Filipino workers and advised its citizens against traveling to the Philippines.
The Philippines’ investigation into the incident is ongoing.
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