At an Executive Yuan meeting today, Premier Jiang Yi-huah hailed the fisheries treaty signed April 10 by Taiwan and Japan as a major breakthrough in bilateral relations.
To protect and expand the interests of Taiwanese fishermen, the ROC government began talks with Japan on fishing rights many years ago and had previously held 16 rounds of negotiations. In light of the latest controversies in the East China Sea and the Diaoyutai Islands, last August President Ma Ying-jeou further proposed an East China Sea Peace Initiative, urging peace and cooperation in the region.
"At a time when tensions are swelling in the Korean Peninsula, the inking of the fisheries pact was certainly a welcomed message of peace," Jiang said.
Premier Jiang thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Council of Agriculture, the Coast Guard Administration and other agencies for their work in concluding this agreement successfully. The premier hopes the pact will open the way for further negotiation with Japan concerning safeguard of Taiwan's fishing rights.