BRUSSELS, April 19 (Reuter) The European Union and Canada delayed signing an agreement on Wednesday to end a bitter six week row over fishing rights in the North Atlantic, pending confirmation that all was in order.

"We're waiting for the formalities to be completed," a European Commission spokesman said, stressing, "No one is putting the agreement into question."

The EU and Canada on Sunday struck a deal over Greenland halibut (turbot) fishing in waters managed by the North Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO) but signature was withheld pending fulfilment of two final conditions.

Firstly Canada had to repay a 500,000 Canadian dollar (US$350,000) bond given by the owners of the Spanish trawler, Estai, seized for alleged illegal fishing in international waters off Newfoundland on March 9.

Secondly Canada must repay the value of that part of the Estai's catch unloaded at the port of St. John's, Newfoundland.

A Spanish official said the bond had been repaid but the trawler owners and Canada were still arguing over the value of the catch, which depended partly on whether European or Canadian market prices were used.

Officials at the European Commission, which negotiates for the 15 nation EU, and the Canadian embassy to the EU had said they expected the agreement to be signed on Wednesday.

"We're waiting to be called in," a Canadian official said early evening.