Two Egyptian fishing boats have been detained by Tunisia after entering the latter’s territorial waters, according to Ambassador Amr Mahmoud Abbas, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Consular Affairs and Egyptians Abroad.
The Tunisian authorities took the boats into custody, following their entry into Tunisian waters to fish, and brought them to a naval base.
Abbas confirmed that Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is, in coordination with Egypt’s Embassy in Tunis, monitoring developments related to the conditions of the detained fishermen to ensure their safety.
The ministry is also following up on the progress of investigations, whilst coordinating with the Tunisian authorities to ensure measures are taken to return the boats and their respective crews to Egypt.
Abbas also called on all fishermen in Egypt to avoid moving into waters claimed by other countries, out of respect for their sovereignty. He added that this was also to preserve their lives, and to avoid falling under the laws of these countries.
