Cooks opposition MPs seek EU lobbying over 'bad' fish deal

Divisions in the Cook Islands over a controversial fishing deal have reached a new peak with opposition MPs asking a Swedish politician to talk to the European Union on their behalf.

The government is set to sign a deal with the EU that would allow Spanish vessels to fish in its exclusive economic zone for at least eight years.

About 4,000 people have signed a petition against the move.

The opposition's finance and economy spokesman, James Beer, has written to Sweden's minister for International Development Cooperation, Isabella Lovin, to lobby the EU.

Ms Lovin is a former member of the EU parliament and experienced in fisheries.

In 2013, she wrote to the Kiribati government expressing her concerns over a similar agreement it had initialled.

Mr Beer says the government has been continually warned that it's a bad agreement for the Cook Islands.

 

Author: 
Radio NZ