Yemen and Spain hold talks session on fisheries cooperation Yemeni Minister of Fisheries Wealth Mr. Mahmoud Saghiri and Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Ms. Elena Espinosa co-chaired on Wednesday, June 6th, an official talks session on fisheries development and cooperation. The session discussed Spanish support for fisheries researches centers in Yemen, tuna factories, control and fisheries industries aiming at improving and developing this significant sector. Mr. Saghiri clarified to Saba News Agency that the executive program of the understanding memo, to be signed between the two miniseries, is intended to support traditional fishing in Yemen to improve fishermen income and life standards. "Fish exports to Spain increased to 4.6 thousand tons in 2006 in comparison to 125 tons in 2000," Mr. Saghiri said, adding that Spain's support to fisheries sector in Yemen comes within the framework of mutual cooperation between the two countries. He indicated that the Spanish executive program for supporting fish sector in Yemen focused on improving basic infrastructure in Yemeni fishing waters, confirming making use of Spain's experience in this sector. For her part, the Spanish minister praised the continuous growth of relations between Yemen and Spain, affirming her country's keenness on developing these relations in all fields. She expected that the Yemeni-Spanish relations would witness great improvement, pointing out that her country is one of the most consumers of Yemeni fish. Ms. Espinosa expressed interest to encourage Spanish private sector to establish joint investment projects in fisheries areas.