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The end of the XVIII meeting of the International Contact Group for Somalia at Madrid. (Photo: Maec)
Spanish strategy: turn pirates into fishermen
SPAIN
Thursday, September 30, 2010, 00:30 (GMT + 9)
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain, Miguel Angel Moratinos, has announced that the Spanish government plans to launch "a new fisheries cooperation" with Somalia to recover the sector and transform pirates operating in the Indian Ocean into fishermen.
To the Spanish Minister, it is essential that the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia strengthens its "stability" in general.
Accordingly, Spain signed a memorandum of understanding with Somalia, which will see them give EUR 3 million in financial aid in order to improve public access to basic services and reconstruction tasks.
On the basis of "experience" and "fishing traditions" in Spain, and given that there is a large fishing fleet present in the area, the central government aims to "help Somalia develop its fisheries sector," Moratinos continued at the end of the XVIII meeting of the International Contact Group (ICG) of Somalia, held in Madrid.
Their intentions are for Somalia to "have the economic capacity and therefore the facility to obtain financial resources to develop the fisheries sector in their country," he said.
The aim would be to convert pirates into fishermen and in addition, to "consolidate the territory, stability and development in Somalia," said Moratinos, according to the Europa Press.
The minister also said the Somali delegation visiting the country will maintain contacts with officials at the Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs (MARM), in order to "identify some pilot projects or experiences that might facilitate the future of fisheries" in the country.
He also asserted that "it will benefit Spanish interests."
The president of Somalia, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, thanked the support given by Spain, and to be able to eradicate terrorism in his country, they must act "together" to "find a lasting solution."
Related articles:
- 'Panic room' creates new way to fend off pirates
- Government, shipowners and Somalian President to discuss piracy
By Analia Murias
[email protected]
www.seafood.media
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