A Philippine official says that a fisheries enforcement agreement with Taiwan could take effect by the end of the year.
The agreement will create a procedure for detaining and releasing fishermen operating in waters claimed by both sides. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the text of a proposed agreement is already being reviewed by a legal team at the Philippine presidential office.
The official said that differences in interpretation and conflicting interests mean that the Philippines and Taiwan are not likely to conclude the agreement soon. The unnamed official also said that the agreement will only serve as a framework, leaving the two sides to work out specifics through further negotiations.
However, a statement from the Philippine foreign ministry on Wednesday said that recent confrontations around the maritime boundary between the Philippines and Taiwan show the need for the two sides to conclude a fisheries enforcement agreement soon.