Representatives from Taiwan and Japan will meet in Taipei next month to discuss fishing near Okinotori, the southernmost point of Japanese territory, the island's Foreign Ministry said Thursday.
Tsai Ming-yao, secretary-general of the Association of East Asian Relations, the Taiwanese body in charge of ties with Japan in the absence of formal diplomatic relations, told a news conference that the two sides will hold the first round of official talks to discuss the establishment of a dialogue mechanism for cooperation on maritime affairs.
Issues that both sides agreed to place on the agenda include fishing near Okinotori, protection of the maritime environment, emergency rescue, and scientific research.
Both sides also agreed to add other issues that both want included on the agenda.
Tsai said the Taiwanese side hopes the meeting could be held once a year or more if necessary.
As details of the meeting are still being arranged, Tsai only said that it will be held in Taipei at the end of July.
A diplomatic insider involved in the negotiations but not authorized to speak to the media told Kyodo News that the meeting will be held on July 28.
In April, a Taiwanese fishing boat and its crew members were detained for fishing in Japan's self-declared exclusive economic zone near Okinotori, located some 1,700 kilometers south of Tokyo.
The boat and its crew were released a few days later, following negotiations that led to the payment of a fine to the Japanese side.
Taiwan argues that Taiwanese fishermen should be allowed to conduct fishing activities in the area, which it considers international waters.