EU backs Thailand's continual solutions to IUU Fishing

BANGKOK, July 7 (TNA) - The European Union (EU) has expressed its support for Thailand's continual moves to solve Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing issues. Defence Ministry Spokesman Major General Kongcheep Tantrawanit told journalists that visiting EU Advisor on IUU Fishing Cesar Deben voiced the support while leading an EU delegation to a meeting with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan at Bangkok's Ministry of Defence on July 6. The spokesman said that both sides also discussed updates and close cooperation between EU and the Thai government so far on solutions to IUU issues in Thailand. The spokesman stated that the visiting EU delegation gave guidelines, apart from expressing the European trade bloc's readiness to further support Thailand to develop the country's fishery sector to meet international standards. In response, the spokesman revealed, the deputy premier and defence minister thanked the visiting EU delegation for the guidelines and continual support. The spokesman quoted the deputy prime minister and defence minister as informing the visiting EU delegation that the Thai government, through its all concerned agencies, remains committed to working hard and facing with complicated challenges to sustainably resolve IUU Fishing issues on the right track in line with international standards to contribute to the international community's stance on the joint protection of world marine resources. (TNA)