Responding to the further harassment of two European fishing boats by Canadian patrol vessels outside Canadian waters, the European Commission issued the following statement:

DATE: 95/April/06
REF.: IP/95/366

" The European Commission considers it deeply regrettable that Canada has committed a further flagrant violation of international law on the high seas, especially as we have come so close to an agreement.

The President of the Commission, Jacques Santer, is writing to the Canadian Prime Minister, Jean Chretien, in order to express his deep concern and urging Canada to show the restraint required if a settlement is to be reached.

The Commission has also summoned the Canadian Ambassador to the EU immediately in order to protest vigorously at this hostile, illegal and dangerous act.

Canada's behaviour makes an already delicate negotiation even more difficult at a very crucial stage in the talks. The Commission nonetheless believes that we must push ahead with the talks, for it is only through negotiation, not confrontation, that this dispute can be solved. If Canada is really serious about these negotiations, it must show the necessary restraint in order for an agreement to be achieved."

(End of statement)