Yemen to let
diplomacy resolve alleged fishing squabble with Eritrea
By Observer
Staff
SANA’A - The continuing
seizure of Yemeni fishing boats by Eritrean authorities is an issue to be
resolved diplomatically, said Minister of Fisheries Ali Majoor in a statement
published Monday.
The minister said that his
ministry has received a number of complaints from Yemeni fishermen that
Eritrean authorities have confiscated their boats and fishing equipment in
waters that according to a 1999 agreement are to be shared by both Yemeni and
Eritrean fishermen.
“The ministry has done what
it can and sent all complaints to the foreign ministry for discussion with the
Eritrean authorities,” added Majoor.
Al-Mithaq citied the
director of the fisheries office in Al-Hodeidah as saying that the 37
traditional fishing boats had been seized by the Eritreans so far this year.
The Ministry of Fisheries
has paid compensation to those fishermen, he said.
Yemen received praise for
its role in negotiating a peaceful settlement to a conflict with Eritrea over
its maritime border in 1999. Those efforts contributed to enhancing security
and safe navigation in the Red Sea. The decision allowed the two countries to
fish in the other’s territorial waters.
In 2001, the maritime border
demarcation was finalized according to the decision of an international tribune
board in accordance with the UN laws on international navigation established in
1982.
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